Gerard

ON ST. GERARD, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR, AT POTENZA IN ITALY,

IN THE YEAR MCXIX.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Gerard, bishop of Potenza in Italy. (S.)

BY R. D. B.

§ I. On the origin of St. Gerard. The cult paid to him at Potenza, at Piacenza and in other dioceses of Italy.

That from the outset the reader may see as if at one glance the Life of St. Gerard of Potenza, which is to be illustrated in this commentary, St. Gerard, bishop of Potenza, we set forth on the very threshold the first lesson of the second nocturn, which the clergy of Piacenza, the blessed man's fellow-countrymen, still recite on his feast. This lesson, composed by Pietro Campi, approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites at the beginning of the seventeenth century, and used up to these times in an office of semidouble rite, is framed in these words: Gerard of Piacenza, born of an illustrious family, having drunk in piety along with letters from his earliest boyhood, left his own people by divine counsel, and having traveled through a good part of Italy, at length settled at Potenza in Apulia among the Lucanians. There, burning with charity, in order to lead little ones to Christ, he opened a school and began to instruct tender youth free of charge, with wonderful patience and integrity. The people of Potenza, admiring the man's charity, when their bishop was taken from among the living, all judged him the one man worthy to be put in the place of the deceased: and so it was done. God too confirmed men's judgments of him by miracles; among which this is not of the least note, that when in the visitation of his diocese, as is customary, the wine happened to fail, by the sign of the cross water was suddenly turned into wine, and he wonderfully refreshed his company. Having governed the church most happily for eight years, at the last, worn out by vigils, labors and old age, he rested in the Lord, and was buried in the same city amid the grief of all. Afterwards Pope Calixtus, the second of that name, on account of the man's outstanding holiness, attested by many other miracles, enrolled him in the catalogue of the saints [P. Campi, Dell' historia eccl. di Piacenza, volume I, book XII, page 389 and following. Royal Library of Brussels, manuscripts, number 8926, folio 13.] .

[2] Praised by his successor Manfred, What manner of man and how great St. Gerard was, we are taught by the panegyric oration delivered by his disciple and successor Manfred Ughelli, Italia sacra, volume VII, column 138. . This, however thin and unpolished it may be, we nevertheless consider worthy of high regard, because it is the work of an eyewitness and a most truthful one, and the sole historical monument of the Church of Potenza of this age. We shall therefore set it forth according to the very ancient manuscript of Potenza. A copy of this, first destined for Pietro Campi, the writer on the origins of Piacenza, was then sent to our predecessors. In what places it differs from the edition of Ughelli, who published the same manuscript of Potenza, we shall indicate in the margin.

[3] He was born of a noble house in the middle of the eleventh century. There St. Gerard is said to have been sprung from a noble stock of Piacenza; namely, as Umberto Locati [In Grævius, Thesaurus of the Antiquities of Italy, volume III, part II, pages 24 and 85.] , Ferrari Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, page 682. and Pietro Campi Historia eccles. di Piacenza, book XII, page 377. say, from the Porta family: of which many discharged civil offices at Piacenza Compare Muratori, Writers of Italian Affairs, volume XVI, page 611. . But why are ancient documents of this tradition not brought forward? Concerning the dates of the holy prelate's life, however, these things can be gathered from Manfred: first, that when he had been at Potenza a short time, already adorned with venerable white hair, and hence not less than sixty years of age, he ascended the see of the same city; then, that he died on the third day before the Kalends of November in the eighth year of his prelacy; finally, that he was canonized by Pope Callistus II, in the presence of William, cardinal and bishop of Palestrina, and accordingly, as we shall show below, before the end of the year 1124. But since Gerard his predecessor, if we follow Ughelli, was still among men in the year 1099, the episcopate of St. Gerard will have to be placed between this year and 1124. Further, Ughelli refers its beginnings to about the year 1111. From which it seems to follow that the blessed man was born around the middle of the eleventh century. When, however, he departed from life, we shall investigate in setting forth his cult.

[4] He was canonized, At the 30th of October it is announced in the Roman Martyrology: At Potenza in Lucania, St. Gerard, bishop. He is also mentioned by Chastelain in the Universal Martyrology, by Ferrari in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, and by the editor of the Hagiologium of Italy. Moreover, that the cult of St. Gerard is very ancient, is agreed among all. For shortly after his happy death the honors of the saints were paid to him: which we gather from the panegyric oration which Manfred delivered on the blessed bishop. After my consecration, he says, … going forth from the city with the people of Potenza, we approach the Roman pontiff; for we found him sufficiently kind, and well pleased with our petition in all things. His consent and that of all the cardinals approves that this be done by the common decree of all the brethren. So an examination is made of the life of so great a man among the cardinals, and he was seen worthy to be held among the holy confessors. But after he was canonized by word of mouth by the Roman pontiff, Calixtus by name, the bishop of Palestrina, William by name, and Peter archbishop of Acerenza, and Guy bishop of Gravina, and Leo bishop of Grumentum are sent to adorn the sentence … of their lord and pastor. Then the said author adds how from this time, every year, all are able to gain an indulgence of forty days at the tomb of St. Gerard.

[5] not before the 16th of May 1122, Concerning the year of this ceremony, indeed, not all are of one mind: but from the whole text of the oration it seems to have been carried out immediately after the consecration of Manfred: which itself (since in that period for the most part a small interval came between the death of bishops and the election of their successors) took place a few days after the death of St. Gerard. Many authors err in referring it to the year 1119 or 1120, like Locati [Origin of Piacenza, in Grævius, Thesaurus of the Antiquities of Italy, volume III, part II at the end, columns 24 and 85.] , or to the year 1122, like Pietro Campi History of Piacenza, volume I, book XII, page 387. ; since it should rather be attached to the year 1123 or 1124. Certainly St. Gerard was neither inscribed on the roll of the saints after the 12th or 13th of December of the year 1124; since Callistus II, who canonized him, then departed from life; nor before the year 1122: for William, already bishop of Palestrina and cardinal, took part in the festivities; but he had not yet been raised to that dignity on the 16th of May of the year 1122. For at that time Cuno presided over the Church of Palestrina, one of the witnesses of the bull by which Callistus II settled the dispute that had arisen between the monastery of St. Remigius at Reims and the monastery of Montmajour. Its closing is this: I, Callistus, bishop of the Catholic Church, approving, have subscribed. I, Cuno of Palestrina, was present at the judgment and have subscribed… Given at the Lateran by the hand of Grisogonus, deacon cardinal of the Holy Roman Church and librarian, on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of June, in the fifteenth indiction, in the year of the Lord's incarnation MCXXIII, of the pontificate… of Pope Callistus the year

IIII Mabillon, Ann. Bened., volume VI, page 645. , that is, on the 16th of May of the Pisan year 1123, or on the 16th of May of the common year 1122. Martène, indeed, who edited the bull, thought that it belonged to the common year 1123, and drew Bréquigny Table chronol. des diplomes, chartes, etc., volume II, page 513. , Petrini Memorie Prenestine, at the year 1123, page 122. and others to his opinion. But in this place we are less moved by their authority, because not one of them noticed that Callistus in his bulls used not only the common style, but sometimes also the Pisan [Compare Papebroch, Propylæum Maji, part II, page 14*. Jaffé, Reg. Rom. Pontif., page 526.] , and hence began the year now at the 25th of March, now at the 25th of December, that is, now at the feast of the Incarnation, now at the feast of the Lord's Nativity. And that the Pisan style was used in that subscription is indicated by two signs. For since Callistus was elected on the 2nd of February of the year 1119, and counted the years of his pontificate from the day of his election, the fourth year of his pontificate was running on the 16th of May of the year 1122, and not of the year 1123 Ibid. . Then the fifteenth indiction, both Roman and Constantinopolitan (Callistus II used both), was running in the month of May of the year 1122, and not likewise of 1123. Cuno, therefore, who on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of June, in the fourth year of the pontificate of Callistus II, in the fifteenth indiction, put his name to the bull, was still alive on the 16th of May of the common year 1122.

[6] but in the year 1123 or 1124. Nor would I believe that Cuno lived long afterwards. For his name, which from the 18th of June of the year 1119 to the middle of the month of May of the year 1122 occurs rather often among the witnesses of apostolic letters, altogether vanishes after the 16th of May of the year 1122 Jaffé, page 526. . How long, after Cuno's death, the see of Palestrina stood vacant, cannot be determined: but certainly William the cardinal already held it on the 6th of June of the year 1123, as is clear from the tablet placed in the oratory of St. Chrysogonus in memory of the consecration, and framed in these words:

† IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S INCARNATION MCXXIII, ON THE EIGHTH DAY BEFORE THE IDES OF JUNE, IN THE FIRST INDICTION, THIS ORATORY WAS DEDICATED BY THE VENERABLE BISHOPS PETER OF PORTO, VITALIS OF ALBANO AND WILLIAM OF PALESTRINA, THE MOST BLESSED POPE CALIXTUS II PRESIDING IN THE APOSTOLIC SEE, IN THE FIFTH YEAR OF HIS PONTIFICATE. WHICH DEDICATION BROTHER JOHN OF CREMA, SINNER, PRIEST OF THE TITLE OF ST. CHRYSOGONUS, ASKED TO HAVE PERFORMED Frizon, Gallia purpurata, book II, page 133. .

It is established, therefore (which is the opinion of Cardella Memorie storiche de' Cardinali, volume I, part I, page 261. and Petrini Memorie Prenestine, page 122. ), that William was called to the miter of Palestrina not after the 6th of June of the year 1123; and yet not much before either, but at the time of the Lateran council, as several writers gather from Onofrio Panvinio, that most diligent searcher of the Vatican library [Compare Novaes, Storia de' sommi Pontefici, volume III, page 14, edition of 1821.] . Now from the very Acts of the council [Labbe, Collectio Conciliorum, supplement of Mansi, volume II, column 349 and following.] and from other historical documents Hefele, Conciliengeschichte, volume V, page 338 and following. it is clear that the council was held from the 18th of March of the year 1123 up to the first days of April of the same year. This being proved, it follows that William passed into the number of the cardinals neither before the 18th day of the month of March nor after the first days of the month of April of the year 1123, and hence that St. Gerard was not placed in the canon of the saints by Callistus II before this time. And since the supreme pontiff died on the 13th or 14th of December of the year 1124, it remains for us to say that the holy prelate was canonized between the 18th of March of the year 1123 and the 13th or 14th of December of the year 1124.

[7] In the canonization Nor do we have anything by which to define the time more closely: for apart from the writing of Manfred, we find no mention of this matter among the ancients. Indeed, apostolic letters, which already in that age were sometimes given in causes of this kind, do not seem to have been issued in the cause of St. Gerard. You will seek them in vain in Fontanini's Codex Constitutionum for the canonization of saints, or in the work of Benedict XIV, who does not so much as bring forward the name of St. Gerard. The business was nevertheless altogether worthy of memory; since from it is understood one of the various manners in which canonizations were carried out in early times; and indeed a manner of such a kind that it differs from all those which Benedict XIV, treating at length of canonizations, even those performed by Callistus II, has reviewed De Beatif. SS., book I, chapter VIII, number 14. . Namely, Manfred the successor of St. Gerard proceeded to Rome with many of his people: where, standing in the papal hall, he delivered a discourse on the virtues of his predecessor, and earnestly requested that he be placed in the canon of the saints. To which Callistus showed himself inclined, far from refusing. But being unwilling in so grave a matter to do anything without the intervention, inquiry and approval of the cardinals, he held a solemn consistory, in which a review of the life and beyond doubt of the miracles of St. Gerard should be instituted. The judgment of the cardinals was this, that the pious prelate was fully worthy to be received among the saints. Callistus added his vote to the sentence, and published the decree of canonization by word of mouth. The pontiff does not seem to have used (as Ughelli thinks) the commissary form, which Urban II employed in the cause of St. Nicholas the Pilgrim, committing the inquiry into the whole business to the bishop of Trani: but he himself pronounced the judgment.

[8] an indulgence is granted. And that this sentence might be made known to the people of Potenza and every cause of doubt be removed, William, bishop of Palestrina, was ordered to set out for Potenza; to whose words and attestation, as those of a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, credence was to be given. There were joined to him as companions the archbishop of the province, namely of Acerenza, the bishop of Gravina of the same province, and the bishop of Grumentum or Marsico of the province of Salerno; who perhaps were still staying at Rome after the close of the Lateran council. These, having entered Potenza, promulgated the decree of the pontiff, and, surely in his name, proposed an annual indulgence of forty days, to be gained by those celebrating the feast of St. Gerard. This grant is very remarkable for that age; so much so that it would seem to be called into doubt, did not the writing of Manfred possess in itself every mark of authenticity. For in the Acts of canonization earlier or later, up to the beginnings of the thirteenth century, mentioned by Benedict XIV Work cited, book I, chapter VIII, number 12 and following. , or reported by Giusto Fontanini Cod. Constitutionum quas Summi Pontifices ediderunt in canonizatione sanctorum. , no indulgences are anywhere read to have been granted. Indeed it is even agreed among writers [Papebroch, Propylæum Maji, part I, page 173*. Amort, De origine, etc. Indulgentiarum, part I, section IV, number XV, page 129, edition of 1735. Benedict XIV, De Beat. SS., book I, chapter 36, number 9. Fontanini, pages 51, 57, 59.] , that the custom of bestowing them at canonizations is to be referred to Honorius III, who opened the treasures of the Church in the years 1218, 1225, 1226, when he inscribed William of Bourges, Laurence of Dublin and William of York on the roll of the saints. Wherefore the grant of which we have just spoken is to be held an altogether singular case.

[9] [The body of St. Gerard was translated in the year 1644, and recognized in the year 1818.] But piety toward the holy bishop took no moderate increase from the time when Obert, bishop of the same city, on the 12th of May of the year 1250, translated the bones of St. Gerard to a more honorable place in the cathedral church, and there built in his honor a chapel, which was adorned with these verses:

When there are twelve hundred years and fifty

Since through the flesh the Virgin became mother to her parent,

At the people's expense Obert the citizen had this done

For St. Gerard, being then prelate in the city… Ughelli, volume VII, column 139. .

From this mausoleum Michele de Torres, bishop of Potenza, took in the year 1644 the relics of St. Gerard, and laid them in the crypt, under the rear part of the high altar, the most honorable place of all. These in the year 1818 Bartolomeo de Cesare, likewise bishop of Potenza, recognized. On the pavement of the crypt these words are read:

HERE WITH GREAT DEVOTION IS VENERATED

THE BODY OF ST. GERARD, BISHOP,

PATRON OF POTENZA

Moreover in the treasury of the same church there is devoutly preserved a part of the staff of St. Gerard; likewise his arm in a silver case. A single bone, enclosed in a reliquary, is customarily carried to the sick, who bring it back to the church after recovering their health.

[10] In his honor several feast days are kept, That devotion toward St. Gerard had grown strong already from antiquity is also ascertained from the fact that, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of the 17th of December of the year 1633, it was granted to the people of Potenza that they might continue, according to a custom in use from before the memory of men, to celebrate once a month the office of St. Gerard with double rite. This Office is almost wholly from the common; the proper parts are the prayer, the hymn and the lessons of the second nocturn. It is to be recited through the months, on the days given below, even if a Sunday occurs (unless it be privileged): the 19th of January, the 15th of February, the 10th of March, the 28th of April, the 12th of May, for the sacred translation, the 20th of June (or rather the 22nd, because the octave of St. Anthony of Padua is kept), the 12th of July, the 31st of August, the 25th of September, the 30th of October, the day of the feast, the 6th of November, the 9th of December Sacro apparecchio alla festa di S. Gerardo, page 68 and following. . The clergy too of the archdiocese of Acerenza, of which the Church of Potenza is a suffragan, and also the clergy of the diocese of Matera are commanded to keep the feast of St. Gerard on the 30th of October with double rite. The people of Piacenza, however, venerate their fellow-countryman the saint on the 31st of October with semidouble rite C. Poggiali, Memorie storiche di Piacenza, volume IV, page 75. . But since he is the principal patron of the city and diocese of Potenza, his feast is celebrated there on the 30th of October with double rite of the first class with an octave, and on the 12th of May, with double rite of the second class. For the devout observance of these two festivals, the people of Potenza prepare themselves with a novena of piety, before the exposed Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. The bishop himself on the feast day officiates in pontifical vesture.

[11] public processions are made, On the 12th of the month of May a most solemn procession is held through the squares of the city, at which are present the chapters of the collegiate churches of St. Michael and of the Most Holy Trinity, all the archpriests and vicars forane of the diocese, who, after the gospel of the pontifical Mass, renew to the bishop the promise of canonical obedience. There are present also the religious communities, the confraternities and the lower clergy of the cathedral church. After them walk the mansionary clergy of the church, and their dean, bearing the arm of St. Gerard; over which the syndic or another leading man of the city holds a canopy. These are followed by the canons of the cathedral church, carrying on their shoulders St. Gerard's

statue, artfully wrought and of silver. The bishop closes the column, a great crowd of people accompanying him. But the people too, from ancient times, hold in their own way a procession on the 11th of May. Its origin is, as is reported, that St. Gerard, when one day he was crossing the sea together with a number of Mahometans, at once calmed a storm by a miracle: seeing which, all those companions embraced the Catholic religion. And so toward the night of the 11th of May the people go in procession through the whole city, ablaze with lights: some carry a symbolic ship; many walk adorned in Mahometan dress; some bear about a beautiful painted image of St. Gerard, lit from within. The people of Potenza also at times institute another procession, called that of Penance, in order to obtain from God clear skies through the intercession of the holy man. In it all the confraternities, with the clergy of the city, barefoot, conduct through the city a very ancient wooden statue of St. Gerard: which is said to have been made by Bishop Manfred, and is now kept in the chapel to which Obert translated the bones of the blessed bishop, and which to this day has the name of the Chapel of St. Gerard. It is the conviction of the people of Potenza that, when this ceremony has been celebrated, they have never been disappointed of their hope. Moreover, so great is their piety toward their holy patron, that on all the days sacred to him, even the monthly ones, all abstain from meat, and many also from eggs and milk foods.

[12] and water is blessed. There is finally among the people of Potenza the pious custom of blessing water in honor of St. Gerard; and the sick who drink it are not rarely restored to health. Receive the formula of this sacred rite.

Let the sick rejoice together, as health suddenly comes;

Diseases are driven out, and sharp fevers put to flight;

Steps are restored to the lame and sight to the blind;

Diseases are driven out, and sharp fevers put to flight.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Let the sick rejoice, (as above.)

℣. Pray for us, holy Father Gerard,

℞. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Then the prayer in honor of St. Gerard: By the merits of Blessed Gerard etc., which you have below; and also the Church's prayer for the sick: Almighty everlasting God, eternal salvation of those who believe.

LIFE OF ST. GERARD BY MANFRED

from the Brussels manuscript 8926, collated with the edition of Ughelli.

Gerard, bishop of Potenza in Italy. (S.)

BHL Number: 3429

a b

FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS.

We celebrate today the birthday of St. Gerard, For as in all the divine books and in every narrative of the passions of all the saints it is worth the effort to seek not ornamented phrasings of words, but the truth of the thing done, so we too have thought it most useful, your most holy ears lending us a hearing, to make known the truth concerning the life and character of St. Gerard, bishop and confessor. The holy, then, and magnificent and at once glorious feast, to be observed with all veneration, of our most glorious father and excellent pastor, Bishop Gerard, the divine goodness of the Lord has deigned to grant to us today, dearest brethren, a feast which we believe to be no less to be venerated in the heavens, while it is venerated on earth with all devotion by us sinners and unworthy ones: and now , although every faithful Christian is not without a share in the solemnities of all the saints, but is their lover and praiser, yet it is properly the more especial duty of us, by manifest voices and signs, who inhabit the parts of his bishopric, the more to praise this feast and to hold it in celebration, to the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his holy confessor Gerard. The death, then, of the lord confessor Gerard is celebrated on the third day before the Kalends of November; let it be extolled lovingly with exulting voices and a joyful heart, so far as we can , by us his wretched servants. Yet in such a way that whatever of praise and honor is spent by us be referred to the grace of our Creator. For as your presence, brethren, testifies, you believe the return of this day to belong not only to the soul, but to eternal salvation. While therefore you run together to celebrate the yearly feast of your pastor, you seek joys.

[2] who is our intercessor with God, While, then, with devout prayers and diligent zeal you assemble to celebrate the sacred vigils of this confessor, you desire above all the votive and eternal banquets of paradise. For he does not abandon your devotion, of whom your reverence has taken knowledge; indeed, brethren, the pious father rejoices together in your service, and exults in the number of his sons. O venerable feast of our holy father! which the divine goodness has so adorned, that the society of the angels does not refuse to receive him; O truly blessed solemnity, to be set forth with great praises, over which the angels give thanks in the sanctuary ; the company of apostles, and of martyrs and confessors, and of all the saints, do not cease to keep him in their college: for especially on the day of his departure, on earth through the imploring of his mercy the lips of the dumb are unlocked, the eyes of the blind are opened, the infirm bodies of many are restored to their former health, and thus the just prayers of all the pious are received by God. Therefore, dearest brethren, as we go round the yearly circle, and implore his sacred benefits, let us hold in affection what we bring forth with the voice. He indeed , no deaf hearer, most kindly does not deny the aid of his mercy. For what sick man coming to him often goes back not bettered? What bold sinner asking indulgence with a groan has gone away empty? Absolutely none. This man indeed the prophet had foreseen, when he said: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Likewise of the same: "Blessed is he whom you have chosen and taken up, O Lord; he shall dwell in your courts." For the Lord granted to this so great man a great and wonderful reward, that dwelling among the people of Potenza a short time, he merited to become their pastor, the glory of paradise awaiting him.

[3] Born at Piacenza, he came to Potenza, This man altogether, brethren, is truly to be proclaimed a priest of Christ, whom the people of Potenza wished so suddenly to be made their head. He, sprung from a noble stock of Piacenza ^c, fully imbued with letters, was by the divine will directed to Potenza in Apulia ^d. And living there a short time, what manner of man his most holy life was, his merits declared. Confidently, therefore, helped by the exhortation of him who said: "Open your mouth, and I will fill it," as he who willed the mouth of a brute animal to speak, I have taken care to make known to my hearers a few miracles concerning this holy man; some which we saw with our eyes; some too, since it is not for man to see and be everywhere, which we learned from other religious men, and held written in our heart, we have set forth in what follows. But since we have thought it most useful to indicate to you how in the borderland of Apulia he gained the episcopal dignity, and what actions the people knew in him, I will note these in as few words as I can, keeping the discipline of truth. I therefore ask the goodwill of readers and hearers, that they not bite at our brief speech in the manner of scoffers ; but with a believing heart turn to the better what they humbly await; let them not seek, I beg, the ornamented phrasings of the philosophers, but the clear truth of words truly spoken . May the pious help of Blessed Gerard then be with us, that whatever your pious hearing expects concerning him, our narration may hold to the rule . To his most holy life, therefore, the virtues in which he was strong and the works in which he flourished, we turn the pen of narration. Sprung, then, as we have said, from a noble family, traveling through the Italian * provinces, he came to the city of Potenza.

[4] where by word and example he impresses virtues on men's minds; For being full of the Holy Spirit, he did not cease to show forth words of truth by sayings and examples; because he was just, he held to justice and truth; chaste as he was, he taught to hold to chastity; humble, kind, gentle, he commanded all to have humility, kindness, gentleness. For he said: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of tribulation." Whole in body and mind, he steadfastly accused those falling into lustful madness; a skilled and accomplished man, he spurned the imprudence of all evil men; assiduous in nightly vigils, wakeful, he gave himself unceasingly to prayers. For he had heard in the psalm: "At midnight I arose to give thanks to you," and : "Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Sion; declare his deeds among the nations." So great was the sobriety in him, that he was thought to be wholly a monk . He had indeed read: "The saints subdue the flesh, strengthen the spirit with faith, and shine with works, and therefore they were found faithful." Following, then, in the footsteps of such men, he attained the joys of eternal rewards. He reigns therefore in the heavens with all the saints , because he was found dear to God with them; may the merits of them help us, whose life shines glorious.

[5] and created bishop there, he works miracles, When therefore Blessed Gerard was strong in these and in many other virtues, a man adorned with venerable white hair, he was found worthy of the pontifical chair by the clergy and people of Potenza. So the man, most holy in all things, is elected, and is conducted to the metropolitan bishop of Acerenza ^e to be consecrated. When he had been consecrated, then, and had returned to his own see, a great shout of gladness and exultation is raised to God, the city is joyful in so great a pastor, the whole people rejoices, adorned with a new lord. O blessed Apulia, who are newly adorned with a new patron! But blessed Potenza, who are graced with your own lord. Now a new star has shone in the borderland of Apulia, since Blessed Gerard has been vested with the pontifical miter. Adorned, therefore, with pontifical glory, he appeared at all times humbler, gentler, kinder and more zealous in every virtue; and accordingly the Lord granted him such abundance of efficacy, that the whole people rejoiced in all the things which they saw done by him ^f. There were besides among the brethren men of good testimony, monks and clerics, who, with the testimony of faith and truth , assert that God for love of him in a place where there was no wine made wine out of water . For when in a certain diocese ^g , Santa Maria by name, he had made a journey in the summer time for the sake of visitation, all the brethren with him in their thirst were diligently looking for wine, which was not in that place; and when the man of God saw that his people so greatly desired it, moved in spirit, he ordered water from the spring to be brought to him. When the sign of the Lord's cross was made, the water at once, against nature, changed its sensation of taste. For it changed its taste into the sweetness of wine . His companions being astounded at this in wonder at the miracle, the blessed man, as he sought no glory, asked that the right hands of all his companions be given him, that they not carry the glory of so great a miracle abroad to earthly and vain fame, and giving them the end of his life as a term, that they not burst out with report of him into the world. But since God does not suffer his star to be hidden by darkness, after his passing from life he caused him to shine forth in the world.

[6] and he dies in the eighth year of his episcopate. Therefore, since we are making mention of his life and character, let us show likewise in words and in writing how he passed from this world to the Lord.

So in the eighth year of his ordination, when now every carnal heat had left him, which he had scarcely or never been seen to have, he gave back to the Lord the soul which he had lost to the world. The angels joyfully receive him in the heavens as he departs to the Lord, and reigning eternally with gladness, they rejoice that he dwells with them among the stars. The angels sing praises to God for him whom they have received as a colleague in heaven: on earth the whole Church exults, because she sends him ahead to the starry kingdoms, whom she wishes to have gone before her to the heavenly joys. His citizens grieve, then, bereaved of their pastor, but the angels rejoice over the heavenly flock increased; the people weep for their lost lord, and the angelic company exults with hymn-singing voices, because they receive among the stars him whom they ever knew faithful to God on earth. Let us therefore rejoice likewise also, dearest brethren, and give thanks to God , who has deigned to adorn us with the crown of our most glorious and magnificent father Gerard.

[7] Then by his intercession a paralytic is healed; Therefore, since we have touched upon the joys both of angels and of men, let us turn our point to the miracles which the Lord deigned to reveal to his servants after his death. Not long, then, after the time when the saint of God ended his life, there was a man of forty (whom we saw with our own eyes), who went about only with his palms stretched out and his knees bent, who, when he had vowed himself to God and to Gerard the confessor of Christ, received the free power of walking away, the step of his feet being made firm. And so what we read for our ears at present concerning the blessed man, let there be no doubt that we do not dare to lie, as Scripture cries out: "The mouth that lies slays the soul;" and likewise it praises, saying: "He who speaks truth in his heart, who has done no deceit with his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbor, and has not taken up a reproach against his neighbors," and so forth. O wondrous miracle! O thing to be praised! Who hears of a man of forty, or of a paralytic formerly deprived of his own gait, restored to a new walking, and easily believes it ? Who does not stand amazed and tremble at so great a miracle? For unless our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the time of his preaching had cured a man who had been a long time in sickness *, the people would by no means have become believers in these testimonies. The clear and manifest prodigies of the Lord, therefore, render our testimonies true and credible. For he himself says to his disciples: "Greater things than these you shall do"; if therefore we believe that the greater is done, we do not doubt that the lesser is done. Turning our pen then, brethren, to the series of the miracles to be narrated, as we have proposed, those which we both saw most truly and heard indubitably, we shall tell a few out of many."

[8] likewise a monk, and many others. There was then a man, a monk, brought, as it were, to the tomb of the blessed man, whom the goodness of the Lord through the merits and intercession of the blessed confessor of Christ Gerard brought back to the full memory of his senses, and to understanding . Moreover, let no one of you hold it doubtful that many others of a like condition came to him, and received health. Therefore we have taken only one out of many, lest the length of many miracles should dull the mind of many men who hear; for since for the sake of compendious brevity we have narrated only one in the class of the witless , we likewise narrate one or at the very most two in the class of the blind, who received the light of their eyes; and although many others were enlightened, whom we who write did not see, but learned of by the testimony of many, we have not thought it sound to commit to our hearers what was not seen, fearing God in miracles not seen. For if Christ, our master and Lord, wished many miracles which he had done to be kept hidden; who feared no sin at all, and fled human praise; how much more ought we, frail sinners, to shrink from narrating to others what we have not come to know with our eyes and ears; especially since there are so many miracles, which through him our Lord and Savior has deigned to show in our presence, that the means of writing would sooner fail us than true knowledge of the miracles which were done in the presence of our eyes. We, however, shrink from writing those things for this reason, not because we do not believe they were done, but because we fear falling into sin in any way , by saying less or more. Moreover, then, there is so great a store of his miracles, which through him the Lord works daily before us, that no will holds ** us nor necessity compels us to write down the testimony of other men.

[9] Several held in prison suddenly freed. Other miracles. Let us speak, then, of the miracles and prodigies shown to our eyes, so that while we strive by writing to please God and St. Gerard, we may not seem to have said more than the truth, which is always contrary to God. There were, then, several men held in prison, whom the presence of Blessed Gerard freed by visiting them in the nighttime; for the fetters by which they were held, by the power of God and the visitation of Blessed Gerard, fell from their feet; and these, rescued from prison, with all speed visited the tomb of the blessed man their liberator, and paying their vows most devoutly to God and St. Gerard with hymns and praises, returned cheerfully to their own homes. And since the church of Potenza flourishes with many of his miracles, we believe it sufficiently pleasing to God and men not to pass over in silence the miracles which we have very often learned were done in the same church. Now when the sacristan ^h in the aforesaid church according to custom extinguished the burning lamps above the tomb of the aforesaid confessor, by no earthly fire applied , but by the sole will of the Lord, who has done all things whatsoever he willed, in heaven and on earth, they were very often rekindled . Burning candles too were seen to have fallen and to have burned upon the cloths of his tomb, a length of one cubit or more, and to have done no harm.

[10] St. Gerard was placed among the saints by Callistus II. These and many other miracles were done to celebrate the friend of God; but since it is long to narrate not only that we saw the ailing healed by his intercessions, but also the kinds of infirmities, which are manifest, time would fail us sooner than the store of miracles to be narrated will give out; indeed a lengthy loquacity of miracles would cause a stopping of the ears and a dulling of many hearts. Fearing, then, the weariness of our hearers, we cease to write down many kinds of prodigies. Let us say then with brief speech how the holiness and veneration of the most glorious man came to canonization. There appeared, then, dearest brethren, to me Manfred, overtaken by a light sleep, the aforesaid man, venerable for his white hair, terribly enjoining on me that I have a care of him. And when I, astounded and ignorant of what he commanded, was pondering it, he added once more: "Do not flee the care of our body, and of the Church of Christ, whom, being to be authorized in your time, I have returned." While I was still hesitating , he stretched out his hand, as if to strike, and went away. Awakened by this I waited in silence, for what such a vision might mean ; and not long afterwards the clergy and people of Potenza, as if about to fulfil the foregoing words of Blessed Gerard, unanimously demanded that a useful pastor be given them; me too, a useless servant and God's bondman, they acclaimed as necessary to their Church. Their attention and petition were therefore fulfilled forthwith. After my consecration, then, not unmindful of the will of Blessed Gerard enjoined upon me, secure in his exhortations, going forth from the city with the people of Potenza we approach the Roman pontiff. For we found him sufficiently kind, and well pleased with our petition in all things. His consent and that of all the cardinals approves that this be done by the common decree of all the brethren. So an examination is made of the life of so great a man among the cardinals, and he was seen worthy to be held among the holy confessors. But after he was canonized by word of mouth ⁱ by the Roman pontiff, Calixtus by name, the bishop of Palestrina, William by name, and Peter, archbishop of Acerenza, and Guy, bishop of Gravina, and Leo, bishop of Drumentum ^k, are sent to adorn and confirm the sentence of their lord and pastor. They come, then, to Potenza, and with humility and foresight, a remission of forty days being made to all who come to the annual feast of the holy confessor of Christ, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns now, and always, and before all ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

* falleratas A.

* thus A, B, for Dominus?

* etiam B.

* peculiaris A.

* possumus B.

* omitted in A.

* magis B.

* sanctos A, B.

* juxta A.

* enim B.

* thus A, B.

* edictus A.

* destinatus Pot. venit B.

* serio B.

* paucis B.

* substantiantium A. more subsan. B.

* faler. A.

* veridicorum B.

* invocatio B.

* nos. examussim A.

* Italias A.

* enim B.

* imprudentia A.

* assiduis B.

* cæterea added in A.

* monacus A.

* spiritu A.

* omn. SS. B.

* ejus B.

* Acheiuntinum A.

* quæ qui added in A.

* unum B.

* quondam B.

* impatienter added in B.

* aquam A.

* ipse B.

* thus A, for vini dulc.? vinum dulce B.

* est B.

reddit B. redidit A.

* thus B. omitted in A.

* quæ B.

* in A.

* omitted in A.

* ac added in A.

* virtus A.

* quæ B.

* omitted in B.

* crediderit? B.

* omitted in B.

read ægritudine

* monacus A.

* intellectus B.

* tamen B.

* inanitorum B, for insanitorum?

* quodlibet B.

* thus A and B, for est?

* quod added in B.

teneat B.

* tempti A.

* visitatio A.

* omitted in B.

* vidimus et nos hoc prodigium persæpe added in B.

* quos B.

* timientes A. tim. audit. omitted in B.

* Dicamque B.

* prius detemptus A; corrected by another hand pto

* excitantem A.

* vellet B.

* Callisto B.

* Guglielmus B.

* Grumentinus B.

* suam B.

APPENDIX.

The clergy of Potenza once used on the feast of St. Gerard an Office whose hymns at Vespers, at Matins and at Lauds were proper to the blessed bishop alone. Pietro Campi transcribed these Work cited, volume I, pages 382, 385, 388 and following. , together with the antiphons at Lauds, and also some responsories for the nocturns. This Office seems to be lost; for to the men of letters of Potenza with whom I have treated of this matter, it is known only through Pietro Campi. From his book we shall give again what survives.

HYMNS ONCE RECITED IN HONOR OF ST. GERARD.

Gerard, bishop of Potenza in Italy. (S.)

FROM THE PRINTED TEXT.

HYMN AT FIRST VESPERS.

℣. Gerard turned into wine, alleluia.

℞. Water through a divine sign, alleluia.

HYMN AT MATINS.

RESPONSORIES AT THE LESSONS OF THE NOCTURNS.

Resp. of lesson I.

From Italy ^c came Gerard, the Lord leading him;

He, a citizen of Piacenza, was well pleasing to Christ;

And he became a teacher of Potenza, and so afterwards its prelate.

Resp. of lesson II.

He ruled the Church, he magnified it by his teaching,

And by his doing blessed the flock entrusted to him ^d.

Sober, adorned in manners, prudent, and mild, modest.

Resp. of lesson III.

Wakeful, and skillful, cautious, and patient, kind,

A cultivator of justice, upright, pious, on all sides worthy,

A reader and assiduous teacher, a giver to the needy.

Resp. of lesson IV.

His companions, beholding so wonderful a sign,

Reckon him worthy of the gift of boundless praise:

But the servant of the Lord flees the heralding of fame.

Resp. of lesson V.

He requires of his companions to be careful with faithful mind,

That they not presume, except after his death, to confess what they have seen,

Spurning the empty applause of common honor.

Resp. of lesson VI.

Abandoning the slippery things of the present life, he exchanges

The earthly camp for heaven, as he departs to the stars,

To take the heavenly palm for the battle of the flesh.

Resp. of lesson VII.

The people weep, heaven rejoices, the heavenly

Hosts sing, they touch their instruments with sweet-sounding melodies,

Because a companion is given to them, because a friend is added to his friends.

Resp. of lesson VIII.

They rejoice together, as health suddenly comes to the sick,

Diseases are driven out, and sharp fevers put to flight;

Steps are restored to the lame and sight to the blind.

Resp. of lesson IX.

O light of the fatherland, leader of the people, glory of the clergy,

Deign by your prayers, St. Gerard, to protect us:

Illumine the fatherland, rule the people, protect the clergy;

That we may be with you through all the ages of days,

Beholding together the true light from light.

ANTIPHONS AT LAUDS.

Ant. I.

Let us sing to the threefold Lord the proclamations of praise,

That through our patron he may grant every good.

Ant. II.

Let us praise the Lord, shouting for joy with tuneful voice;

Let all mouths resound to God in sacred praises.

Ant. III.

Let us sing psalms together, canticles to the heavenly king,

That we may merit, with him ruling near, to be ruled.

Ant. IV.

Bless the Creator with praise, all created things, and

Exulting say pleasing canticles to God for yourselves.

Ant. V.

Let heaven, earth, sea, and the things contained in them resound together,

Let them strike cymbals, psaltery, resounding * drums.

HYMN AT LAUDS.

HYMN AT SECOND VESPERS.

ANNOTATIONS.

* roboantia in the edition.

* scismata in the edition.

HYMN OF THE PRESENT-DAY OFFICE OF ST. GERARD.

Gerard, bishop of Potenza in Italy. (S.)

FROM THE PRINTED TEXT.

AT BOTH VESPERS.

The hymns sung in honor of St. Gerard by the clergy of Potenza, which we have published anew following Pietro Campi, are no longer used in our age; but in their place, with the permission of the Roman pontiff, another hymn has been substituted for both Vespers. It is the following.

PRAYER.

By the merits of Blessed Gerard your confessor and pontiff, grant us, we beseech you, Lord, to trample upon the perishable delights of the world, and may we merit to have as intercessor reigning in heaven him whom we had as pastor on earth: through the Lord, etc.

In this present-day Office the lessons of the second nocturn present in summary the Life of the blessed bishop; nor do we think anything from them should be published, except that he is there said to have died on the third day before the Kalends of November in the year of salvation one thousand one hundred and nineteen Sacro apparecchio alla festa di S. Gerardo, page 66. .

* redimitis in the manuscript.