ON ST. SECUNDUS BISHOP OF AVILA IN SPAIN.
SECTION I.
PrefaceSecundus, Bishop, at Avila in Spain (St.)
D. P.
The mission of the first seven Bishops into the Spains, with the honor of a common remembrance, is celebrated in the ancient copies of Usuard and in the tables of today's Roman Martyrology, Worship proper to this day: on the XV of May: at which day, besides what has already been said before on the Kalends of February, we treat the same matter fully; and thither we refer the reader, that he may know what is to be believed concerning St. Secundus, one of them, whose feast today the Church of Avila keeps separately, just as other Churches keep that of the others, assigning to each his proper day; namely to St. Euphrosius, the day XIV of January; to SS. Cæcilius and Ctesiphon, I of March and of April; to St. Indaletius the last day of the same April; common with others, May 15. only St. Torquatus has no proper feast, but is venerated in the choir of his companions, on that day which we have marked, the XV of this month. These things being supposed, I judge there is no need to dwell on the fabrications which to this II of May concerning St. Secundus, and elsewhere concerning others, are heaped together by Tamayo in the Spanish Martyrology, out of the Chronicles of Dexter, Luitprand, Julianus Petrus and others of like sort, elsewhere abundantly refuted, and finding no further credit among the more prudent Spaniards.
[2] Now Avila is an Episcopal city of Old Castile among the Spaniards, him with the title now of Martyr, situated almost midway between Madrid and Valladolid, but nearer to Segovia, which keeps a double feast yearly for St. Secundus, Bishop and Martyr, as Patron. The first on this II of May, as on his Birthday, with the Octave; the other without it, as a double of the second class, on the day XI of September, as a feast of the Translation: but on both days everything is recited from the common of one Martyr Bishop, except the Lessons of the II Nocturn, which, elegantly composed and examined and approved by the sacred Congregation of Rites, Pope Clement VIII confirmed and approved, on the day III of August, MDXCIV, in the III year of his Pontificate, formerly of a Confessor. that they might be recited by the Chapter and Canons of the Church of Avila, as they had desired. The IV and V Lesson weave the history common with the rest, and at length are thus concluded: Secundus, who undertook to teach the city of Avila, begot many to God by the example of his life and by preaching through the Gospel: and at length, dying after many labors endured for Christ, consecrated by his blood the church of Avila to the true God. So far there: at which we should the more wonder, that Marieta in book 5 on the Saints of Spain chapter 90, appearing in the third year after the granting of the Office, says that St. Secundus is venerated at Avila as a Confessor, did we not note that both in the Brief of Leo X, from information received from the Bishop, and in the very solemn act of the Translation itself, only this title is used, and the Mass of a Confessor Bishop is narrated to have been celebrated in the History soon to be set forth. Nor indeed is any argument of martyrdom found anywhere, and therefore Baronius, the reviser of the Roman Martyrology, is seen prudently to have done, in that he abstained from the title, not too easily calling it into controversy, thus writing: At Avila in Spain, of St. Secundus the Bishop, of whom below also on the Ides of May treatment is made with others.
[3] The Translation September II The VI Lesson summarily contains the History of the body's finding and translation, and is of this kind. When his body had long lain unknown to all, in the year MDXIX it was divinely found. For when the masons were demolishing a sagging wall of the temple, under its foundation they found a stone chest, inscribed with these words S. SECUNDUS, from which so great a sweetness of odors emanated, that it suffused the temple and the neighboring places. It also happened in testimony of the holy body, that one of the masons, a man laboring under an incurable disease, at the sight of the holy body grew well. The fame of these things spreading abroad, innumerable men came to see the body of St. Secundus, and very many laboring under various diseases were freed by St. Secundus' merits. The relics of this holy Bishop and Martyr, illustrated by many miracles, were for long times preserved in a most ancient temple, which is built in the suburb of Avila: thence they were translated into the chief temple of the city, and laid up in a chapel dedicated to the Saint himself, where they are venerated with frequent and incredible devotion of the whole people.
[4] That translation had been made on September XI, in the year not quite complete before the lessons were approved, A prolix History written in Spanish. namely in the year MDXCIV: but in the very year MDXCV there was printed in two books at Madrid the History of St. Secundus, with the succession of the Bishops of Avila, down to the Episcopate of D. Hieronymus Manrique de Lara, by the author Antonio de Cianca; to which two books, toward the end of the year XCVI or the beginning of the following, was added a third book, on the said Hieronymus' entrance into the Episcopate and the translation of the holy body aforementioned. From these books moreover all have drawn whatever in this age have touched the same matter, and several are cited by Tamayo. For us there is no need to follow the streamlets, while we have the fountain: from its context therefore we excerpt and render in a Latin compendium what he has more prolixly in Spanish: but in that order which shall seem to us more fitting for brevity, with liberty also reserved, in those places where the author uses conjecture, sometimes to think otherwise.
THE HISTORY OF THE FINDING AND TRANSLATION
From the Spanish of Antonio de Cianca.
Secundus, Bishop, at Avila in Spain (St.)
By the author D. P.
CHAPTER I.
The finding of the body in the temple of St. Lucy in the year MDXIX.
[1] On that side where the river Aja, holding in common a name mutilated from the Arabic Guadaja so that it is called Adaja, In the old temple of St. Lucy intersects the valley of Avila, and approaches the Western side of the city itself; there is a temple of ancient structure, erected upon the bank of the river of squared stone, of that kind which around the city is dug out of the earth, of ancient form and workmanship: which at the beginning of the XVI century is plain to have had its name from St. Lucy, from the Bull of Leo X to be set forth below at num. 17. That the same was once known under the name of St. Sebastian, I know not whether it is sufficiently proved by the Acts of a certain confederation between certain parish churches of the city of Avila, under the care of the Sodality of St. Sebastian, written in the Era MCCXCVI, which was the year of Christ MCCLVIII, where the parish of St. Sebastian is named seventh among fifteen; granted that the feast of that Saint is there kept yearly more solemnly: because that can be done by reason of a Confraternity, under the invocation of the same Saint there already long ago established, with the obligation of keeping in good repair the roofs of the church itself, and of caring for its restoration and adornment at a fitting time.
[2] However it be, that church began, after the finding there of St. Secundus' body, now called of St. Secundus, to be called by his name: which when it was placed there, can to a certain extent be known from the words inscribed on a chalice, found within the chest of the holy body with this tenor, ✠ ANDREA PETRUCI ORTO DA SIENA FECE CHESTO CAL. Andreas Petruccius, a native of Siena, made this chalice. For no one will prudently say that before the irruptions of the Moors any such thing was written at Avila; or even immediately after their expulsion, the body lay with marks of about the 13th century. made under the reign of Alfonso the Wise at the end of the XI century of Christ. It remains therefore that the deposition of the sacred body was made one or two centuries after, in that place where it was found; since already even among plebeian men and workmen it was in use to assume surnames, and the use of the Latin tongue among the Sienese being abolished, that which is now called the Etruscan tongue not only sounded in the common mouth, but was also applied to inscriptions of this kind. It pleases me not therefore, whoever thinks the church itself older than the restoration of the city: nor of the first place of burial assigned to the Saint, before so many centuries as have flowed from his death, does it please to affirm anything by divining: but the finding of the last burial it pleases to hear from a sworn witness.
[3] There was here Matthew Panca, a citizen of Avila, who in the year MDLXIV, born sixty-seven years, and lawfully asked to relate what he had seen done concerning the body of St. Secundus when it was found, There while in the year 1519 a certain wall is dug under deposed, that in the year MDXIX, when in the aforesaid church certain lesser arches were being cast down, intersecting the wall, by which on either side are divided the chapels collateral to the middle greater chapel; that, one greater arch being built on either side, the communication with the said greater chapel might thenceforth be more convenient and ample; he deposed, I say, that in that place, where afterward was constructed the tomb of St. Secundus, near the very pavement, within the solid thickness of the wall, there was marked an arched recess, containing a little wooden tomb, to which were applied on the outside certain wooden rods, in the manner of a lattice, dyed of a green color: which what they signified no one knew, so unknown indeed by now was that sacred treasure.
[4] the tomb found, and within it a chest All these things the workmen having demolished with the wall, when they had begun to dig up the ground for laying the new foundation; they uncovered another small chamber in the old foundation of the wall, and within it that stone tomb; which being opened, they beheld a wooden chest, with the title SANCTUS SECUNDUS. The fame of this thing being published called together a great multitude of spectators from everywhere (others say that the magistrate ecclesiastical and secular came, by whose discretion all things were thenceforth done) among whom was also the witness himself, and he saw composed in that wooden chest a body, or all the bones of one person, which appeared from the residual fragments of garments to be of an Ecclesiastical or Episcopal person, so placed, with episcopal tokens since there was present a chalice, of tin or bronze as it seemed cast together, having a gilded cup; and likewise a golden ring.
[5] Somewhat more briefly in the premises Antonio Davila, himself also a citizen of Avila, eighty years old, present at the said finding, adds to the chalice a paten: but he says that there was placed upon the head something swollen in the manner of a mitre; but so withered and corrupted, that of what material it was could not be discerned: only distinctly was perceived the form of a mitre. Moreover both this witness, and another heard in the first place, Francisco Gomez de S. Stephano, a citizen of Avila seventy-four years old, and the title of the name. who had also been present at all that was done, say, that the title, which from the words first reported by the alleged Matthew could seem to have been described on the outside of the chest, was found within the chest itself; and indeed, according to the deposition of the aforesaid Francisco, sculpted or inscribed on a stone or a little stone slab. From the indication of which title if the fame about the finding of St. Secundus was first spread, as is more likely; it ought also to seem more likely, that by the very workmen desirous of knowing, or by their overseers, the chest was unlocked, before the aforesaid magistrates came thither; who nevertheless soon closed it, and thenceforth, the lid being lifted off as often as they were bidden, showed the holy body, as concerning the closure of the chest is clearly gathered from the following miracle.
[6] For I saw, says Antonio, at that time when among the hands of the workmen the holy Body was being handled, a man with a hernia healed at its touch. that a certain citizen of Avila, dwelling near the hermitage of the Holy Cross, Francisco Arroyo by name (whom I myself had known to be foully ruptured, so that he displayed his intestines slipped out of their natural place, and thence said he often experienced grievous torments) who was of the number of the workmen, said: I wish to place myself upon this holy body, if perchance God may deign to free me from my infirmity. Which said, the witness himself saw him ascend upon the chest, and there pray a little while; and soon join his hands, and cry out with a great voice: Lord Jesus Christ, forgive my sins, as through this blessed Saint Thou hast healed me. Then he added: O glorious Lord St. Secundus! O glorious Saint, who hast healed me! And soon, with all present, the miracle became known and was published through the whole city, which God had wrought. And the witness himself saw, the place is filled with a wondrous fragrance, many years after, the aforesaid Francisco Arroyo come, for the sake of prayer, to the aforesaid church, and to render thanks to God for the benefits conferred upon him. He also remembers that at the same time, the whole church was suffused with a most sweet odor.
[7] The same concerning the odor Matthew affirms, yet first says, that he saw and heard among those who had run to the spectacle the Deans and Chapter of the Cathedral church, which bears the name of S. Salvator, contriving that the holy body of him, whom they said had been their Bishop, they might also transfer into their own church: but to this counsel were opposed the overseers of the aforementioned Confraternity, the Chapter-men contend with the keepers about the body Lopez and Silvester Gallego, Christopher del Barco, and Peter de las Navas: and within the church they set guards, lest anyone should carry off the found treasure, meanwhile while a place for fittingly laying it up was being prepared. Whom here Matthew names as Dean, together with three other Canons being present, we know to have been Christopher de Medina, afterward adorned with the title of Dean. But for the Confraternity stood Sancho Davila, Governor of Avila, son and namesake of that famous Captain, to whom on account of remarkable exploits in the taking of Alhama this surname remained, and also the other Rectors of the city.
[8] And so after the watch some days and nights diligently applied to the body, it was agreed between the parties, that the holy body should remain within the same church, but the ring with the chalice should be transferred to the Cathedral. which is placed in a new casket in the very place. It was also decreed, that of walnut wood there should be made a new casket, to be secured with three locks, within which should be transferred the sacred bones; which also was done, with a new and pure linen cloth applied, and placed within the chest. And so within the same stone chest the casket being placed, it remained in that place where even now it is, says Matthew: but it was said that the Chapter had carried off one of the keys, the ring and chalice are granted to the Cathedral, another remained with the Magistrate, the third the Confraternity kept. Further the chalice and ring with great reverence are kept in the sacristy of the greater church, and are religiously shown to those coming to see them: but every year on Holy Thursday the same chalice is employed, for the keeping of the Lord's body within the monument. By common decree also of the Chapter of Avila, in honor of St. Secundus a magnificent altar was built, where an altar is erected for him and collateral to the greater altar, upon which the image of the Saint himself, sculpted in alabaster, likewise the histories of his preaching and life, death and burial, similarly sculpted, are seen. But this altar is at the entrance of the choir, in one of the angles, through which the form of the temple runs out into a cross: which lest it should deform the symmetry thereof, another of plainly similar structure was built in the other angle, in honor of St. Catherine.
[9] particles of the bones carried off and restored. Nor would I omit, that certain honored persons, who were present when the sacred tomb was opened, took for themselves reverently and devoutly certain lesser bones, to be kept for the sake of religion; which afterward, censures being published to that end, they were compelled to return and restore to the church. But because it did not seem that on that account the tomb and chest should be opened again, secured as has been said with three keys; it pleased to keep the same near the greater altar, for the use of the well and the sick, who might seek to touch them: and therefore there was made of silver a comely reliquary, fortified and adorned with crystals, within which the aforesaid relics very fitly and decently laid up, by their sight foster the devotion of the faithful who come.
CHAPTER II.
Miracles from the year MDXLIII down to MDL examined and proved in a public Process.
[10] Francisco Gomez, the sworn witness of whom above, affirms (and in this has Antonio Davila assenting to him, The place is frequented by pilgrims and several others likewise sworn) that from the time of the finding made and published, down to the year MDLXIV, in every single year he saw very many men come reverently to the tomb of St. Secundus, from various parts, and there perform vigils or novenas, offer wax tapers, procure Masses to be said, not without the effect of many ensuing miracles; on account of miracles: by which around the year MDXLIV, says Antonio Davila, it is established that there were healed various deaf, lame and paralytic persons, some of whom I myself saw, and with them I spoke; of others I heard the public fame, and I know that through the Provisor of the city authentic affirmations were sought, to which I appeal. And this is the Process, of which we have an epitome, described by Blas Davila, public Notary, concerning which a Process was begun in the year MDLXIV, by mandate of the Licentiate Castellius, Corrector of Avila, in favor of the church, hospital and Confraternity of St. Secundus, presented to him on the day XIX of July by Juan de las Navas, Antonio Gomez and Roque Davila, Patrons of the church and Confraternity of St. Secundus. Now that epitome is thus set forth.
[11] I Blas Davila, by Apostolic and Episcopal authority public Notary of the Episcopal Audience of Avila, in fulfilling the aforesaid mandate, required, and found the process, deposited with me and formed before my late father John Davila, public Notary of the number of the Episcopal Audience of Avila, into whose offices and registers I succeeded: 29 Apr. 1543 and from it it appears, that on the XXIX of the month of April of the year MDXLIII before the very Reverend D. Licentiate John de Valverde, Provisor and Vicar General of the Episcopate of Avila, and before the aforesaid John Davila Notary, there appeared certain of the brethren of the Sodality of the church of St. Secundus, in which the body of that first Bishop of Avila is kept: and they said, that, because God at the intercession of St. Secundus himself in the aforesaid his church had deigned to work several miracles, their petition was, that the truth of them being examined, it might be corroborated by public testimony. And so the aforenamed Provisor betook himself to the church, it is reduced into a compendium by the notary in the year 1564, and heard concerning the miracles which had there occurred sufficient depositions, both of those who had experienced them in themselves, and of other grave and trustworthy witnesses, who had known the sick miraculously healed. Which, when with a previous consultation of great men, from the Clergy both regular and secular, equally versed in Theology and in Laws, he had discussed, he attentively approved them as true miracles. But afterward there also concerning other miracles an examination was instituted, by the ordinary Judges of this Episcopate: and from these processes I was bidden to extract, and I myself extracted, the testimony of the miracles wrought, under the form of the following tenor.
[12] the diseases and persons healed being summarily named: The first case and miracle, that out of devotion toward St. Secundus came to his said church, trusting in the merits of the Saint himself, a certain youth, by name John, son of John de Hotero and Maria de las Vegas, who was paralytic and was healed. Likewise another case and miracle, how was healed D. Agnes de Henao, wife of Christopher del Barco, citizen of Avila, from a certain infirmity maimed in the right arm. Another case and miracle, that it healed Hieronymus de Valdes, son of Christopher de Henao, from a hernia. Another case and miracle, of a certain boy, son of Diego Alonso a citizen of Peñaranda, who could not walk except bent from infancy; and was healed. Another case and miracle, how it healed a certain Cleric very paralytic, called Alfonso Garcia, a native of Orbita in the diocese of Avila. Another notable case and miracle, in which several paralytics of a boy, whose name was John, son of Michael Amo, citizen of Adavero in the diocese of Avila; who from the fourth year of his age paralytic came to the church of St. Secundus, and was healed. Another case and miracle, how it healed a boy seventeen years old, who in the town of Arenas, fallen from a cherry-tree, bore a broken arm: the boy's name was Francisco, his father Bartholomew Rodriguez, his mother Maria likewise Rodriguez, his wife.
[13] Another case and miracle, of a certain little girl, daughter of Francisco Sanchez and Juana la Rollona, citizens of Avila from the street of Our Lady of the Cows: who from a certain infirmity had remained paralytic, blind and deaf; and she had the name of Anita. likewise two mutes, Another case and miracle, how speech was restored to a certain mute, a native of the town of Ysnatoraf in the district of Cazorla, who was called Christopher de Molina. Another case and miracle, of another mute, to whom likewise speech was restored, and he was called Alfonso de Armada, son of Alfonso de Armada, from the town of S. Vincent in the diocese of León. Another case and miracle of a certain man for many years paralytic, who was called John Verdugo, an inhabitant of Arévalo. Another case and miracle, of two paralytic women, who were healed, and were named Maria Cogote and Maria de Medina, citizens of Avila. Another case and miracle of Maria, daughter of John Alvarez and Mentia del Pozo, from the village of Gordon of the Episcopate of León, a marriageable virgin: who afflicted with paralysis of one shin and using crutches under the armpits, had come to render the nine-day worship to St. Secundus in his church. Another case and miracle, that Isabella Martinez, devout of the Carmelite Order, from Onquilana of the district of Arévalo in the diocese of Avila, weak and paralytic in one arm, came to a like religious nine-day exercise in the church of St. Secundus, and received health. Another case and miracle, that Beatrix Gonzales, wife of Francisco de Armella, citizen of Saragossa in the kingdom of Aragon, dwelling in the street of S. Paul next to Our Lady de Portillo, came to perform a novena in the same church, paralytic in her whole body, and therefore had to be carried, and was healed.
[14] All these miracles, as is plain from the said Process, were verified and approved by the sentences of the Ecclesiastical Ordinaries of this Episcopate. and all were very solemnly published. And processions were made from the Cathedral church of the city of Avila down to the church of St. Secundus: whither came together all the parishes, each with their own crosses and Clergy, and the sodalities both of seculars and ecclesiastics, bearing their Crucifixes and ensigns for the publication of those miracles, with a Mass and a sermon on St. Secundus, to which there hastened the Magistrates, Rectors, Knights, Esquires, Officials, with an immense multitude of every sex and condition, both of citizens and of strangers, to the praise and glory of the Lord our God and of St. Secundus the Bishop: as more diffusely appears from the Process of the informations, deliberations, and sentences, to which I refer myself, prepared to exhibit the same signed as often as need shall be. Moreover the Lord wrought all things in the church of St. Secundus from the year MDXLIII down to the year MDL. But I have written this testimony from the aforetitled mandate, at Avila, on the day XX of the month of July MDLXIV: and it remains in my register, filling three folios of paper, under my sign, which is here also affixed, in faith of the truth. ✠ Blas Davila.
[15] Now some of these miracles, as has been said, the Licentiate de Valverde approved, In place of this compendium we would rather have had the Process. Provisor of Avila: others most diligently examined and ordered to be held valid the Licentiate Don Francisco de Soto y Salazar, afterward Bishop of Salamanca, when he was Provisor and Vicar general in the whole Episcopate of Avila, for the Lord Diego de Alaba y Esquivel, in the year MDXLIX, before John Davila Notary: which the Fathers of the Society of Jesus afterward set forth to be read on a tablet, hanging from the tomb of St. Secundus. The transcript of the entire Process itself, if the people of Avila deign to send it to us, we shall be able in the Supplement of this month more distinctly to set forth the several circumstances of the aforesaid miracles. Here I only add, from the testimony of Francisco Gomez, that around the year MDLX he saw a certain matron, from a certain place of the district of Arévalo, whose name and that of the matron herself had fallen from his memory, come to visit the aforesaid church; who because she could not by herself alone walk, was led by two men, holding her up caught by the arms: and he saw her coming to touch some relics of St. Secundus, kept outside the chest: and these being touched, she walked by herself most freely and without help, rendering thanks to God and His glorious Saint.
CHAPTER III.
The Translation attempted in vain, the tomb is adorned and a statue erected.
[16] The secular Magistrate's authority had indeed prevailed, as we saw above, At the instance of Bishop Ruiz in the very fervor of the new finding, that the holy Body should not be moved from its place. But because it was solitary outside the walls of the city, and thus exposed to many inconveniences of which below; it seemed good to the Bishop of Avila Fr. Francisco Ruiz, of the Order of the Seraphic Father Francis (who had been companion of the Spanish Cardinal F. Francisco Ximenez de Cisneros Archbishop of Toledo, promoted to this Cathedral after the death of D. Alfonso Carillo de Albornoz which befell in the year MDXVII) he judged that a greater power should be used, whereby he might transfer into his own Cathedral church a pledge so precious and holy. But first he thought he must take care, that what he had in mind to accomplish should be fortified by the favor of the Apostolic See; from which he received a Brief of the following tenor.
POPE LEO THE TENTH.
[17] Leo X grants the faculty Venerable Brother and beloved Son, greeting and Apostolic Benediction. You have lately had it set forth to us, that whereas the venerable body of St. Secundus Bishop and Confessor (who first long ago by the Blessed James the Apostle, whose disciple he was, was promoted to your Church as Bishop) placed in a certain most ancient tomb, in the church of St. Lucy outside the walls of Avila, with the same garments with which he had there been buried, was lately found; and the tomb of this kind, by the license of thee, Brother Bishop, or of thy Official in spirituals or Vicar general, being opened, the body itself by several miracles thenceforth, which Our Lord Jesus Christ deigned to work by the merits of the same St. Secundus, has flashed forth and shines; with pious devotion you have desired the body itself to be honorably transferred to your church, in which it shall be more decently venerated, and to be placed in some decent place of the same church, and at your expense to be surrounded with iron rails: wherefore you have caused humble supplication to be made to us, that in the premises we should take care with pious diligence to provide. We therefore, who in the See of B. Peter, though with unequal merits, constituted, to the several pious vows of the faithful (those especially through which the Relics of the Saints, to transfer the body of St. Secundus to the Cathedral. whose souls in heaven with Christ we doubt not to reign, may more decently be placed and venerated by the faithful themselves) strive carefully to bestow help and pains; commending greatly in the Lord your pious and laudable purpose, inclined to your supplications in this part, we grant and bestow upon you, by Apostolic authority by the tenor of these presents (yet without prejudice to anyone), license and faculty of extracting the venerable body of this kind and all its relics, with due reverence and honor, from the said tomb, and transferring it to your aforesaid church, and honorably placing it therein and perpetually retaining it. Wherefore to the beloved sons the Abbots of the monastery of B. Mary de los Huertos outside the walls of Segovia, and of the secular and collegiate church of the town of Medina of the diocese of Salamanca, by these presents we commit and command, that they or one of them, by themselves or by another or others, assisting you in the premises with the protection of efficacious defense, permit you not to be in any way unduly molested, disturbed or impeded therein by anyone whatsoever; restraining all gainsayers… by ecclesiastical censure… notwithstanding &c. Given at Rome at S. Peter's under the ring of the Fisherman, on the day XXV of February MDXX, in the VII of our Pontificate.
[18] The Bishop being dead, the business is interrupted, This Brief being brought to Avila, perhaps a beginning was given to the building of the aforesaid altar; which while it is being done, Bishop Ruiz is snatched from the living in the year MDXXI, whom there succeeded Rodrigo de Mercado, Diego de Alaba y Esquivel, and Diego de los Cobos: under whom nothing was done concerning the Saint; except that, the miracles increasing after the year MDXL, the processes were formed, which we mentioned in the chapter above: and in the very year MDXLIV the tomb, and in the year 1544 the tomb is adorned with a new grating, which from the very time of the finding with an iron grating had been somehow fortified and adorned, was enclosed with a new and more ornate grating, by the liberality of D. John Davila Abbot of Alcalá la Real as to title, but as to government of Burgo-hondo, brother of D. Francillus Davila, who was a Knight of the habit of St. James and Commander of the same Order in Villa-franca, from whom by the male line descend the Counts de Uceda. About this new grating was led a gilded crown, and pictures and other various elegances, expressed in the very lime of the incrusted wall, a hospital is added to the church. with an indication of certain miracles, wrought in that same year. And because there was no other building there, into which they could withdraw, who frequented the place for the sake of novenas or vigils; the same Abbot built at his own expense a house, contiguous to the church on the Northern side.
[19] In the year MDLX, D. Diego de los Cobos being promoted to the See of Jaca, there succeeded into the See of Avila D. Alvaro de Mendoza, whose sister D. Maria de Mendoza, most piously devoted to St. Secundus, in the year 1562 it is decreed that a statue be made: when in the year MDLXII in his honor she observed a novena, came into the thought of making a canopy of cloth of gold, over a tomb composed of gilded wood, which stood upon the tomb of the Saint; or of bestowing two hundred gold pieces for an alabaster statue of the Saint himself. But it pleased that a statue be made; and to the two hundred gold pieces which she gave, to add, from the fund of the alms offered to the Saint, as much besides as should be necessary. There was therefore made at Valladolid a statue such as is seen today, and conveyed to Avila in the month of April of the year MDLXIII. That its bases might be fitly and without irreverence placed, it seemed good that the tomb should for a while be emptied, and the sacred body reverently kept in another place.
[20] on which occasion the coffer is for a while removed from the tomb, There were present at this act, to exhibit their presence, D. Rodrigo Vasquez Davila, Bishop of Troy (in partibus I believe and title only) the Licentiate Ferdinand de Brizuela, Archdeacon of Arévalo and Provisor in the Episcopate of Avila; the Licentiate Antonio Hernandez de Valvidieso, Treasurer; Alfonso Davila, Canon Doctoral in the holy church of Avila; John and Francisco de las Navas, John Dias and Francisco de Santiago, for the time Patrons of the confraternity and of the Church now named from St. Secundus: to whom being girt for beginning the work, there came up the Licentiate Martin de Espinosa, royal Prefect at Avila, whom they call Alcalde Mayor, to restrain the crowd and to avert any fortuitous accident that might happen. and it is transferred to the sacristy: But by the unanimous consent of all these it was decreed, that the chest, just as it was closed, should decently be carried into the sacristy with wax tapers and lamps: which also was done: and both the door and the window of the sacristy itself being closed with most firm bars, with twelve guards moreover applied day and night, over whom the Patrons themselves presided: among whom their turns also wished to have Don Rodrigo del Aguila, and Francisco de Quinones, Rector of Avila; likewise on another day Don Joseph de Calatayud y Zuniga and Ægidius Gonzales de Villalva.
[21] Watches being continued in this manner, again on the day XXIV of April there were present all the aforenamed and very many others of either order (whom in long order the Spanish author of the history here enumerates) with an infinite multitude of citizens: and again, 24 April 1563. before whom the wax seals of the door were first inspected, then unlocked: and the Bishop of Troy, clad in a white silk cope, with the Provisor, Treasurer, and some Canons, the Corrector likewise, the Prefect and the aforenamed Rectors, and certain more illustrious Knights, all bearing burning torches, having entered the sacristy, caused the chest, diligently inspected and covered with a red silk veil, to be carried out; on the shoulders of Martin Gonzales de la Venera Archdeacon of Oropesa, and the aforesaid Treasurer, with Francisco de Guzman and Alfonso Navarro Canons. Who, amid the joyful concert of musicians, laid it upon the greater altar, where for two hours and more it stood exposed to the veneration and sight of all, the citizens devoutly flocking together, to put their heads, hands, rosaries reverently to it. Then in the same order they went to the tomb: and it, after the chest was placed within, being closed, the statue was erected upon it, representing St. Secundus clad Pontifically, and as if fixed in prayer.
[22] Further, to inflame more the devotion of the people of Avila toward St. Secundus, Procession with the Relics to the Cathedral, it pleased the Patrons of the aforesaid Sodality, those Relics of his which they had outside the tomb, on some Feast day to bear processionally into the city, to one of the Parish churches. Concerning which it was agreed with the Curate and Beneficiaries of the church of St. John: but to the college of Canons, when it heard this, it seemed more fitting, that the procession be led to their Cathedral. And so on the third Feria of Pentecost, instituted 23 May. which then fell on the XXIII of May, there was a procession by the whole Clergy to the church of St. Secundus, splendidly adorned by the care of Doña Maria de Mendoza Marchioness of Caramasa: and the relics being brought to the Cathedral, there was sung there a solemn Mass, and a sermon on the praises of the Saint was given. But toward evening, the pomp returning to that place whence the Relics had been brought, the church appeared loud to the eyes of readers all around with poems, epigrams, and various inscriptions, in Spanish and Latin, to extol the glory of St. Secundus. Some specimens of them Cianca exhibits, on which it is here of no concern to dwell.
CHAPTER IV.
Under Bishop Hieronymus Manrique the business of the desired translation is resumed and completed.
[23] Hieronymus created Bishop of Avila in the year 1590, Alvaro de Mendoza about the year MDLXXVII being translated to Palencia, Antonio Maurinus de Pazos, formerly Bishop of Patti in Sicily, succeeded; and he being translated to the See of Cordova within two years, Sancho Busto de Villegas. He dying in the year MDLXXIX, had as successor Pedro Fernandez Termiño until the year MDXC, when it pleased the Catholic King, Pedro being dead, to substitute the Bishop of Cartagena D. Hieronymus Manrique de Lara, under whom the divine goodness had decreed to enrich the Cathedral of Avila with the long-coveted treasure of the holy body: which by what means it was accomplished I undertake to explain. The Bishop had contracted, having formerly followed the Spanish fleet, which under the auspices of Don John of Austria was to fight, in that expedition a certain infirmity, which sometimes betrayed itself by frequent palpitation of the heart. This in the year MDXCIII on the day IX of September was so great, in 1593 given up by the physicians, that the physicians despairing of the Prelate's life, he himself hastened to provide for his soul, by receiving the last Sacraments; and the College of canons hastened to meet their future bereavement, by appeasing God through prayers. And the Canons indeed with so good a success of their prayers, that at the very time when the procession to St. Secundus was being led, the Bishop began to grow better; and the physicians, marveling at the swiftness of his unhoped-for recovery, judged it to seem above the common order of nature.
[24] Hence, since the pious Prelate gratefully professed that he owed his life to St. Secundus, professing that he owed his life to St. Secundus, and wished to repay him some worthy service; certain of the Chapter-men suggested, what had been requested by Bishop Ruiz, and obtained from Leo X. Finding the Prelate's ears favorable, lest they should do anything not in lawful order, the Chapter being convened they decreed, that their Accountant Garcia de Mena should in the common name set forth to the Bishop, how unseemly it seemed, that the deposit of so great a Saint should be kept in a certain suburban little church, desolate on account of the stench of the tanneries in the neighborhood, which neither open could shut out beasts or cattle, nor closed conveniently receive those coming; nor keep safe from nocturnal thieves the ornaments, if any should be made from the alms of the pious. They added that on occasion of the novenas and vigils, he undertakes the counsel of attempting the Translation again; to be performed in honor of the Saint, it not rarely happened that unchaste women there hunted their gain: and that, the church being destitute of revenues, ill provision was made also concerning Priests, who were none certainly attached to it, so that Masses were rarely said there, and only by those arriving by chance, or procured by pious faithful; so far was it from the Saint being honored with stated solemnities, as would be done in the city: that the people's devotion also was not moderately impeded, because on account of the poverty of the place no one attended to cleaning and adorning the same.
[25] When these things had been duly set forth, examined, and approved; the Bishop judged that the Chapter's wishes should be assented to, and he sends men to seek the King's consent, and the Pontifical Privilege at length put into effect. There being therefore elected by common suffrages two Canons, Pedro de Castro and Lorenzo Chacon, for obtaining the King's consent they set out for Madrid on the X of January MDXCIV. The civil Magistrate learned this, the Sodales of St. Sebastian reporting it: and reckoning that so great a matter should not have been treated without consulting himself (although the Bishop always excused himself that he had been of that intention, that when he had the King's mind explored, the city striving in vain against it. he would communicate about all things with the City) he persisted in his opinion; and those whom at the first instance of the aforesaid Brethren he had named from the Rectors of Avila, two, to oppose themselves to the Bishop's petition before the King, Alfonso Navarro and Sancho Cimbron, he nonetheless ordered to go.
[26] They went therefore: but already the Capitular envoys had preceded, and to them the King had ordered commendatory letters to the city to be dispatched in a cause so just, as it seemed. Those also whom the city itself had as Patrons and Procurators at court, the Marquis de Velada, Gaspar de Bullon, and Diego de Ribera were of the opinion, that nothing should be resisted, but only consulted about the manner in which the matter should be committed to execution, with the right and honor of the Magistrate of Avila as much as possible preserved. So on both sides the envoys returned; But after a supplication instituted for that cause, and the King's letter, signed on the day II of February, on the day XVII of the same month was read, and two days after by common suffrages it was decreed, that a general supplication should be instituted at St. Secundus, to entreat the divine clemency, that it might enlighten the minds of all to determine that which should be more for his glory and the public good. The supplication was led on the first Sunday of Lent, which then fell on the day XXVII of February: which when through the chief streets of the city it had come into the church of St. Secundus, a rumor spread among the common people, that there had been seen by some the Saint's statue to sweat and his countenance to be moved. This, since various men variously and each according to his own sense interpreted it, and the rumors discussed, the Episcopal Provisor sent with a Notary could conclude nothing certain by examining either way; except that the statue, washed the day before, some drops could have adhered to, and that from the smoke of many torches and wax tapers, fluctuating before the same within the church, there had arisen the appearance of a moved countenance.
[27] Meanwhile at the Kalends of March the Magistrates had again come together, to deliberate finally, what should be answered to the King, what to the Bishop. Before whom there was exhibited a memorial submitted by the Bishop and Chapter, containing the reasons for which it was fitting that the translation be made: against which its own, with a refutation of the former, the Confraternity of St. Sebastian opposed in another memorial. and the motives of both sides being read, The memorials being read, the Magistrate charged the Licentiate Alfonso de Orejon, to declare openly what was the right in this business. Who, weighing the texts of the sacred canons concerning this matter and the opinions of authors, showed, that the Bishop and Chapter in making that Translation would be using their own right, supported by the Pontifical and Royal authorities; against which there could not prevail the slight point of right, which to itself as keepers the aforesaid Confraternity pretended to belong: since this title, if indeed it belonged to them, would belong also to the Bishop, Chapter, Magistrate, in comparison with whom the Brethren themselves were the smallest part of those participating in the same right.
[28] Then various consultations were held, of which finally this was the issue, that it should be written back to the King, that the reasons being maturely examined which persuaded the translation to be made or not to be made, at length they had determined to come down to the wishes of the Bishop and Chapter; he too giving his consent, moved especially by this, that the Bishop promised to build an elegant Chapel in his Cathedral, for keeping the holy body itself more decently; and in it to found six Chaplains, designating a revenue of two thousand gold pieces, to be received yearly for the use of the fabric and the said Chaplains' stipend. Such a letter being written to the King and signed XVII of March; it began to be treated with the Bishop himself about the conditions of the matter to be accomplished: and after several conferences they came to the following.
I Let the Translation of the body of St. Secundus be made within the seven next months: but meanwhile while the chapel is being built, let the sacred body itself be kept in a place decently adorned at the side of the greater altar, under certain conditions, where the epistle is sung. II During the labor of building, in that place which the Dean and Chapter shall designate, let the aforesaid canons apply the revenue of two thousand gold pieces to that one matter, until the fabric shall be finished. III The distribution of the same two thousand gold pieces, both about the fabric and the chaplains, ministers and things pertaining thereto, shall be wholly with Bishop Hieronymus Manrique de Lara. IV But let the Chaplains be six, of whom one shall bear the title of Abbot of St. Secundus, under those obligations and conditions which the Bishop shall prescribe. V In the church, where hitherto the sacred body was kept, and its ashes and relics shall remain, let there remain also the tomb of the saint with all its adornment: and one of the aforesaid six Chaplains shall minister to the same church, as before was done by its own Chaplains, ministering there the Sacraments and performing the other accustomed offices hitherto. VI Let there be made, as they were wont before, by the Chapter of the church of Avila annual Processions to the church of St. Secundus, without any change: only that which has been made hitherto on II of May (when it is fair that all should be free to celebrate the feast there where the body is venerated) shall be deferred to the Sunday within the Octave. VII Let the Chapel into which the sacred body is to be transferred be so built, that it have a door open toward the street of Albardería, and next to it a house suitable for receiving the faithful, coming from abroad to perform vigils and novenas there. VIII Let one key of the casket, within which the holy body shall be kept, be kept with the urban magistrate. IX If, God so disposing, it happen that before the completion of the chapel and the institution of the Chaplains, Bishop Hieronymus die: what shall remain to be done let the Dean and Chapter take care of from his goods, and let them only be bound to perform a humble burial of the Bishop, as shall be agreed with them. X Let the right of patronage over the aforesaid Chapel, the Chaplains and other things pertaining thereto, remain with the Dean and Chapter of Avila in solidum.
Under these conditions both the Bishop and his Chamberlain Moyses Petrus de Usasu, in whose person certain rights pertaining to the Bishop were constituted, for the completion of the two thousand annual gold pieces, renounced and ceded the aforesaid rights, into the hands of the Dean and Chapter duly accepting; with the obligation of applying all the goods of the deceased Bishop to the same; and with the ratification of the urban Magistrate, before Vincent de Hierro scribe, in the year MDXCIV on the day XIV of May.
CHAPTER V.
The inspection and most solemn translation of the body: one bone given to Philip II.
[29] It remained to determine the day and the expenses to be made for the decreed Translation: which matter being ventilated in the Chapter before two deputed by the Magistrate, Hieronymus Piniano de Zuniga Corrector, it is decreed that the Translation be made on the I Sunday of September. and Sancho Cimbron Commissary adjoined to him for this, they chose the first Sunday of September of the same year: and it was agreed that whatever should be expended on wax and ecclesiastical persons, the Chapter should pay, with all the adornment which it should please the Canons to employ: but the city should bear whatever expenses were to be made on secular ministries and its own adornments. and the King to be invited thereto. It seemed good also to invite the King, that he might deign to render the festivity more honored by his presence; who if he should consent, both the city and Augustinus Trevisio, Procurator general of the towns of the territory of Avila, would provide those things which are wont in such a case to be done; if not, all things would be done more moderately.
[30] The King being asked, who then was at St. Lawrence's, thus answered on June XVIII, so as neither to bind himself nor to refuse; meanwhile he admonished, that all things for the said Translation should be prepared without superfluous expense. Which answer being received, and another on July XXXI, in which the King excused himself as hindered by gout, from exhibiting his presence; the business was proceeded with. Now the Bishop and Chapter judged, that a few days before the Translation to come, the chest of the sacred body should be opened, and the bones which should be found within transferred into a new and more ornate one; both that it might be clear what was being handed over, the Bishop judging the chest should be opened, both because it was necessary that new keys be made and the chest fitted to the measure of that recess, which was to be made next to the greater altar, where for a while it should be placed while the chapel was being built.
[31] Otherwise nevertheless it seemed to the Magistrate, alleging for himself the Epistle of St. Gregory the Pope, which occurs in book 3, 30, to Constantia Augusta, the city contradicts, asking that the head of St. Paul the Apostle be sent to her: for thus excusing himself he speaks. While my predecessor of blessed memory, because the silver which was over the most sacred body of B. Peter the Apostle, yet far from the same body, almost fifteen feet' space, he wished to change, a sign of no small terror appeared to him. But I also wished similarly to better something at the most sacred body of St. Paul the Apostle: and because it was necessary that near the sepulcher of this kind it should have been dug deeper, by the examples of St. Gregory the Pope. the Provost of that place found some bones, not indeed joined to the same sepulcher: which since he presumed to lift and to transpose into another place, certain sad signs appearing, he died by a sudden death. But besides these things my predecessor of holy memory the same, at the body of St. Lawrence the Martyr desiring to better certain things, while it was unknown where his venerable body was placed, and it is dug, searching; suddenly his sepulcher was unknowingly opened: and these who were present and laboring, monks and mansionaries, who saw the body of the same Martyr, which indeed they by no means presumed to touch, all within ten days died, so that none could have survived in life, who had seen the holy body of that Just one.
[32] In this contention it pleased to appeal again to the King: who separately to the Bishop, separately to the Corrector of Avila wrote, answering their letters given on August XXIII, the King being appealed to bids it be done secretly, received on the day of the same month XXIX; and said it was his will, that only four, the Bishop with the Dean, the Corrector with the Rector, as secretly as possible and with no one else present, should open the chest; and should reveal nothing to anyone either at Avila or at court about that which they should find within it, but should notify it to himself alone, he thereafter to order what need be done. And so the aforesaid four, namely the Bishop with Diego de Bracamonte Dean, and the Corrector with Francisco Davila y Ulloa Rector, on the day XXXI of August, their servants and attendants being dismissed outside the church of St. Secundus, having entered the same alone, opened the casket: and found bones and much ashes, wrapped in a most clean and still most entire linen, and with them a part of a white linen or rochet, which bore a greater age.
[33] The chest being closed again after this inspection, and the tomb covered, since the statue had been removed, which by its weight contained it so that it could not be opened by anyone, guards were set anew over it, to keep watch until the Translation should be made. But meanwhile the King being admonished of what had been done, and that one bone of the chief be sent to him. by letters given on the day III of September prescribed to the Bishop himself certain points, to be observed in the Translation; lastly enjoining, that he should take care to reserve some notable part, say an arm or a whole hip, which would suffice for the celebration of the Office of the Saint to be prescribed; and the same under authentic testimonies by a faithful bearer he should transmit to the Monastery of St. Lawrence in the Escorial, there to be preserved among the many relics of other Saints, especially under this title, that under the district of that Monastery was a part which once had been of the diocese of Avila. The same also to the Corrector by other letters of the same date the King commended, charging him that in the name of the King himself he should hand over the holy body to the Bishop, and one of the three keys of the chest he himself should keep.
[34] On the day of Friday IX of September they betook themselves to the church of St. Secundus, the bones are transferred into the new chest, at the hour after noon the third, with a great retinue of Nobles both ecclesiastical and secular, the Bishop and Corrector; and prayer and litanies being premised, approaching the tomb, with many wax tapers shining before them, they opened it, and thence brought out the chest: which being unlocked the Bishop began to show all the bones one by one to the bystanders, which then he himself with his own hands again wrapped each separately in pieces of red silk, presented by the Archdeacon and Treasurer; and placed within a new chest of walnut, which a cubit almost entire long, half high, and two thirds wide, within and without covered with silk, adorned with gold and silver fringes, and furnished with three locks stood by: the ashes are left in the old one. but all were gathered together within a new and most white linen of Holland cloth. He left however, within the old chest, a good part of the ashes with the half of the old white or rochet, the other half thereof reserving for the King; a part also of the holy ashes among the surrounding nobles reverently distributing. Thus the chests being shut, the old was again left within the tomb, the new carried to the altar, and there were added for keeping it men of the chief from the Clergy and Magistrate.
[35] On the very Sunday, which was XI of September, there was celebrated in the Cathedral by the Dean a solemn Mass of the Saint, the chest is transferred to the Cathedral, which finished, there proceeded a most ornate pomp of supplicants toward the church of St. Secundus; which, as also the whole way along which the procession was to go, distinguished with most splendid apparatus, ravished the eyes of all. The Bishop received the pomp, who for the sake of greater devotion had there privately celebrated: and the casket, which stood upon the greater altar on a most splendid scaffold, ordered to be sent down he handed to six Ecclesiastics of the first dignity, Pedro Tablares Archdeacon of Avila, Luis Nuñez Vela Archdeacon of Arévalo, Ferdinand de Escobar Archdeacon of Olmedo, John Carillo Treasurer, Antonio de Arévalo Master of the schools, Diego Fernandez Arnacedo Archdeacon of Oropesa: but these laid the same upon the shoulders of the bearers Hieronymus Piniano de Zuniga the Corrector, representing the King's person in this act, the Nobles of the first note bearing it on their shoulders: Francisco de Rojas y Sandoval Marquis of Denia, Pedro Stephen Davila Marquis de las Navas, the Licentiate Gasca de Salazar Councillor of the supreme royal Senate, the Licentiate Diego de Alarcon Auditor, and John de Argote Prefect in the Royal Chancery of Valladolid: who bore it under a most beautiful canopy, held up by the Rectors of Avila.
[36] Thus others and others succeeding into the place of the aforesaid, after a triple station in a triple area, each one furnished with its own altar, before the church of St. Stephen, before the house of the Count de Uceda, and in the lesser forum which of the whole city is the most frequented place; they came to the Cathedral church, where when the Bishop had taken out two bones, before which a little area stretched also was itself most beautifully arranged: and at its entrance the Rectors of the city handed to the Bishop the casket, who committed the same to the aforenamed Dignities of the church to be borne from the door of the church up to the greater altar. Long it would be to explain all either the incitements of devotion or the arguments of joy, with which the whole octave there was vying. Nearer to our matter, and therefore by no means to be passed over, is that on the following day of Monday, after a Mass most solemnly chanted, before the nobles of both orders, the Bishop approaching the sacred casket, opened the same; and thence took out two great bones, of which one should remain to be enclosed in the church's own reliquary, the other should be sent to the royal Majesty: which he himself processionally bore around through the church, showing them to the venerating people. These then being carried back to the altar together with the chest, the Royal Corrector fulfilling his Majesty's mandate, under the faith of a public instrument handed the chest to the Bishop. the royal Corrector handed the chest to him. But the Bishop before it celebrated Pontifically: and the sacrifice being performed, again the aforesaid bones he took from the chest, and again, carried around through the church, brought them back to the altar, and signed the instruments, by which faith was made that they were received from the body of St. Secundus. Further the whole octave the Mass and Office according to the use of the Roman Church were recited as of a Confessor Bishop, with the Collect taken from the feast of St. Augustine, only the name of Augustine being varied into Secundus.
CHAPTER VI.
The translation of one bone to the Escorial: the approbation and promulgation of the proper Office.
[37] The envoys of the city announce to the King what was done, The feasts which had lasted through the octave being finished, and which in the history itself can be found severally minutely described, it began to be treated of the Relic which the King had ordered to be sent to himself, letters being written both to the Bishop and to the Corrector. Whence again was born a pious contest, as to which of them it should belong to designate the bearers of the same. But this also was composed, the City obtaining the first place, in directing to the King the messengers of the completed solemnity, and the Relic reserved at his nod, who were Sancho Cimbron and Antonio de Barrientos: but in turn the Bishop holding the prerogative, in this, that his delegates should be the ones to carry and hand over the same Relic. They went therefore and being most kindly received brought back a letter signed by the Royal hand, by which his Majesty testified that he held grateful the City's office, on the day XXVIII of September of the oft-said year MDXCIV.
[38] others from the Bishop bearing the requested Relic, The Bishop also the Relic, which was the hip-bone with a particle of the old white, placed in a little wooden casket, within and without vested and adorned and elegantly closed, together with his authentic testimony concerning its truth, to be carried handed to two Canons of his church, namely the Dean Bracamonte himself and Doctor John Beltramus de Guevara: who hung the same by a baldric of red silk on the neck of Maria de Ayala, Chaplain in the same church: and setting out together, they arrived toward the night of the day XXVII of September at a village of the diocese of Avila, whose name is Navale-Peraldi. Thence the Dean dispatched his esquire Sebastian Angulo, with a letter to Garcia de Loyasa Giron, Almoner Major and Instructor of the King: by whose mandate the same Garcia writing back, they are honorably received, ordered that to the Monastery of St. Lawrence the envoys should turn aside with their treasure. With this letter Angulo returning to the Dean the next day, met him toward evening, coming forward of his own accord whither he was called; who having entered the court and been honorably received, when he had visited the aforesaid Garcia, was in turn visited by him, who also venerated the casket of the Relics decently exposed.
[39] There followed the festal day of St. Michael the Archangel, whose offices being finished, and on 29 Sept. led to the King's oratory, Garcia signified to the envoys that the King wished, that about the third of the afternoon they should come to the royal oratory, because there the King had decreed with his children to admit them and the gift which they bore. At that hour therefore Garcia himself was present, with Fr. Garcia de S. Maria Prior, and Fr. John de Benavente Vicar, and several other religious; and they led them to the sacristy of that royal Monastery, to wait awhile, until the King should grant entrance to his oratory: which soon was done by Antonio Boto royal Keeper of the treasury. And so led thither, amid very many wax tapers shining before them, they alone entered with the Royal Almoner and the Prior of the convent; and unfolded their casket upon the altar: and soon the King entering, with Philip the Prince and the Infanta Isabella his children, having venerated, they signified for what cause from the Bishop and Chapter of Avila they had come, their patent letters being exhibited.
[40] they offer it to him, When they had spoken these things in few words, the King approached the altar; and the Dean unlocking the little casket, first took out a particle of the white, old indeed, but still most bright: which the King and his children successively having kissed, also to head and eyes reverently applied. The same was done at the exhibition of the bone. Then the King ordered that in his name the aforesaid Antonio Boto should receive them, which also he did: and the little chest being shut again, of all these an instrument was drawn up, by the hands of Gregory de Segovia present and called for this. After which the envoys, treated with royal hospitality, on the first of October returned to Avila, with a letter of the King to the Bishop, and bring back a letter with thanksgiving. conceived in these words: Reverend in Christ Father Bishop. By your letter, given on the XXV of this month, and those things which by word of mouth the Dean Diego de Bracamonte and Doctor John Beltramus de Guevara, Canons of your church, reported to me, I understood, with how prompt a will you and that Chapter sent me the hip-bone from the body of St. Secundus, with a particle of the white which was found with it, and the due faith of certainty. By which office of yours vehemently refreshed, and esteeming the gift very greatly for that which it deserves, I give you thanks: because I desire to have here a part of the body of that glorious Saint, to honor it and join it to the Relics, preserved in this Sanctuary of St. Lawrence. At St. Lawrence's on the day XXX of September
MDXCIV.
[41] In the year 1595, on 23 April, the first stone of the chapel is laid As to the building of the decreed Chapel, there was designated for it a convenient site at the square, which then should be called of St. Secundus, and from which equally as from the church itself the entrance into the same should lie open: to which end was sought and obtained from the King faculty of destroying in part the wall of the city, whose ruin the firmer wall of the Chapel would abundantly supply. But to this were assigned eight thousand gold pieces, by no means to suffice for the work, unless marbles most apt in the very territory of Avila were by no means to be conveyed from afar. There was designated also a site for the sacristy for the use of the Chapel, and a hospital house, which all together led into a square should be annexed to the church. But since the Bishop was urged to pass to the Court, to exercise the office of Inquisitor general; there was haste in the work, and the matter brought so far, that there could be by the same the first stone duly laid in the foundation with this inscription. While Pope Clement VIII presides in the Church of God, and the Catholic King Philip II reigns in Castile, but D. Hieronymus Manrique de Lara Inquisitor general administers the Episcopate of Avila, the work of this Chapel of the glorious St. Secundus was begun; and his Lordship laid the first foundation stone, as lord and founder thereof, on the XXIII day of the month of April in the year MDXCV.
[42] The Proper Office is approved at Rome. While these things are being done in Spain, at Rome for obtaining the approbation of the new Offices, which the Church of Avila should thenceforth recite of its Patrons, there was not in vain labored: and it was obtained that of St. Secundus there should be made as of a Bishop Martyr, whereas before there was made as of a Confessor, as was indicated in the previous Commentary, the VI Lesson there set forth, containing a summary of what has hitherto been deduced, is finished by asserting, that the Relics were in a chapel dedicated to the Saint himself laid up, where with frequent and incredible devotion of the whole people they are venerated. Which words about the proper chapel, then, when those Lessons were approved, not yet built, by a certain anticipation of time composed and set forth, finding nowhere expressed when in the work itself they were completed, and nothing doubting but that the fabric of the chapel being finished the deposition of the sacred body had been performed with great solemnity, I wrote to Avila, that I might learn the year, day, and manner: and before the construction of the designated chapel but the Rector of our College there in the year MDCLXXVI answered, P. Ferdinand de Musquy, that of that act nothing written or printed was had. He sent meanwhile, what we had not yet seen, the Pastoral decree of the Bishop of Avila to all his subject Clergy; in which, fifty-four days before the first stone of the chapel was laid, there was signified to all, the approbation of the proper Office made at Rome the previous year, and the use was prescribed. This decree, since it is not found printed in the aforepraised History of the Bishops of Avila; and since by it is confirmed the miracle, wrought in the person of Bishop Hieronymus himself; I judged it ought here to be inserted. Now it is such.
[43] Hieronymus Manrique de Lara, Bishop of Avila and General Inquisitor, to our Chapter and the whole Clergy of the diocese of Avila greeting in the Lord. it is promulgated to be recited by all on 1 March 1595. Since not without divine counsel it has been done, that, the richer Church of Cartagena being left, into this our Church of Avila I should have migrated: not indeed my former spouse (who now and of old has always been most pleasing and most dear to me) being repudiated; but because the heavenly power, and the supreme providence of God (which governs and moderates all things even too hidden and abstruse with supreme counsel) called me (her being left) to new other things (as the very event of things showed) to be accomplished in this diocese: as soon as I entered this our Church with happy auspices, of the Translation of the relics of Secundus, the first Bishop of Avila, and of this diocese in the Christian religion the first Doctor and Master (the whole matter with our King Philip, the Chapter of Avila and the Senate of the City maturely communicated) I more attentively thought. For after (what we faithfully believe) by Secundus' prayers from that most grievous disease the past year we were freed (to wrap meanwhile in silence the innumerable other benefits received from him) we vowed him a chapel; and the Relics, at the banks of the river Adaja in a humble place buried, into our Cathedral church, with what royal pomp and magnificent apparatus could be done, we transferred: not yet however did we seem to have rendered for the benefit received any thanks. Wherefore since often silently with myself I thought, that I could render no greater thanks to Secundus, than if I should give pains, that whom this whole diocese had as parent of life and master of heavenly doctrine, him with proper worship and due praise it should venerate; on that care with all the vigilance of mind and pastoral solicitude I leaned: and at length our most Holy Pontiff Clement by divine providence Pope VIII by letters I besought, that of his benignity to the Saints (whom this Church has as its proper Patrons and Tutelars) Secundus, I say, Vincent, Sabina, and Christeta sisters, a proper Office, which in their festivities we might recite and to the common rule of the Roman Breviary we might adjoin, he would deign to ordain and grant. He acquiesced of his clemency in the honest and just petition, and sent back to us a double Office, one for Secundus, the other for Vincent and the Sisters, which according to the decree of Pius V his predecessor, and the new one by him issued and to us transmitted, in their festivities we might recite. We therefore for the manner of our pastoral office (the matter again with the Brethren and with us often more attentively communicated) both of these Saints, and of others who already of old in this diocese are celebrated, the feasts to be collected and to the Roman Breviary's norm to be conformed, brought to light and published we have commanded; that both of the Patrons lately to us granted, and of the other Saints the offices, in due order through the months digested the whole diocese might have.
[44] But because the feast of Blessed Vincent and the sisters at the wintry season, in which on account of falling showers the inclemency of the sky is wont to be greatest in this city, was wont to be celebrated; by the counsel of most prudent men into the last day of August we have rejected and transferred it, that the devout City might more conveniently be free for the celebrity of its Patrons. Wherefore to you all the Chapter, and to the several clerics subject to our power, by these letters we enjoin and command, that in these festivities of the Saints Secundus, Vincent, and the sisters, and likewise of the others, who are contained in this Calendar, this ecclesiastical office and manner of praying, and not another, both publicly in churches and privately you use. For we hope in the Lord and trust, that from this new manner of praying and reciting the divine Office, you all will perceive abundant fruits of souls: because in these offices you have many examples of true and solid piety and religion before your eyes set, of those, who either as first parents begot us in the Christian truth, or of those, who, already begotten, most happily educated us: whom as domestics, Tutelars and Patrons above all to cherish and venerate, then to attend with most grateful piety of mind you ought, and to employ as intercessors with God, that by their merits and patronage in all adversities you may be helped and relieved. Given at Avila on the Kalends of March, in the year of the Lord MDXCV.