ON BL. GERARD THE SOLITARY, OF THE THIRD ORDER OF S. FRANCIS AT VILLA-MAGNA NEAR FLORENCE.
A.D. MCCXLII.
PrefaceGerard, Solitary of the Third Order of S. Francis, at Villa-magna near Florence (Bl.)
BY D. P.
Villa-grandis was once called, what now Villa-magna, a village 5000 paces distant from Florence, whose parish church to St. Domnino sacred, very near to itself adjoined has another little chapel, in which now rests the body of B. Gerard, there born and there having died. And he indeed for the whole year is venerated as Blessed; Cult on the second feria of Pentecost. yet most celebrated and proper feast to him is held annually on the II feria of Pentecost; when at his veneration from everywhere flowing together the number reaches generally to ten thousand men. Thus through letters sent to me signified the Most Illustrious and Most Erudite Magliabechius, who himself in year MDCLXXVIII on day 1 March to the place betook himself, that more certain and more explored things he might report; and by singular favor of the Plebanus was admitted to the inspection of the sacred body; which once indeed in individual years on the said feast only once, now however much more rarely is shown to the people. I saw and inspected, says Magliabechius, integrity of the incorrupt body. attentively and slowly, that once-most-holy soul's domicile, with desiccated flesh still whole; from which no part was missing, which indeed had been at his death, in decrepit age an old man. Hairs adhered to the head, teeth to the gums, but rare both. The left jaw wholly incorrupt, more integrity showed than the right: skin laid over the bones solid; and indeed from the knees up and down, on each side to five fingers, wonderfully callused and hardened: which callus is believed to have contracted, from the knees visiting some churches sufficiently remote; most whole feet and hands required no joint or nail. He is preserved however under the altar of his oratory inside a wooden gilded chest most honorably, and this is enclosed in a larger stone one, which the Blessed himself there brought, with his hands had fitted to the form of an altar. But before the said gilded chest was made, he had lain inside another chest equally wooden, but of less elegance, which to me under his Parochial altar showed the Plebanus.
[2] In this same little chapel is seen his image, painted with four little stories taken from his life: Images in the church. of which one shows how after his death, the body taken out from the poor little hut, was exposed upon a truncated oak, with arranged around guards for restraining the indiscriminately pious people. In the second is expressed the Saint, a certain horseman in crossing a river admonishing of danger. The third the same represents fixed in prayer, before a certain chapel, and behind him a very great crowd kneeling. The fourth finally a mule loaded with breads, which I believe to the poor by the Saint distributed. Similarly in a certain tabernacle of Gothic work is seen sculpted a stone effigy of the Blessed, with a staff in the right, the left holding a rope, which is presumed to be a cord, the wearing of the Tertiaries of S. Francis. On the individual Sundays of Lent are conducted Processions, in memory of those, which from the knees the Blessed was wont to do, and that in this manner. Those go out from the parochial S. Domninus's church, Pious Processions through Lent by his example instituted. and proceed to the Rectorate of S. Romulus, a thousand paces distant from the said church of S. Domninus; thence proceed to Mons-Acutus, distant by an equal space, where is the oratory of the Nerli: then proceed to another church of Villa-magna, which is called of S. Mary at Ringhialla, and is distant by a great mile, through a difficult way to be measured: then bend to Incontrum, where is a certain little dependency of Villa-magna, and Hermits dwell, at two miles' interval from Ringhialla, through a most difficult way: and at last to the parochial church return. Are made however those Processions, even in cloudy, even in rainy weather: but if a too headlong shower prevent so great a space distant places to all visit, at least always some are visited.
[3] The ancient Acts have been lost. Thus Magliabechius, partly seen by himself, partly heard from the Plebanus: which as certain to us renders Gerard's cult, so troublesome renders the lack of ancient monuments about him, lost as is presumed about the year MCCCLX, when the Sienese, with an incursion against the Florentines made, the church of S. Gerard despoiled and destroyed. This defect in some way will be supplied by the Life, which the praised Magliabechius after long inquiry with the Lords Gamburri at Florence found, just as it near the end of the preceding century (after year certainly MDL) composed the Presbyter Bartholomew John della Quercia, formerly of the said place's Curate, for which is given another more recent Life. received from witnesses worthy of trust and through the tradition of those places, as testifies n. 14 he who with more recent hand transcribed the exemplar found with the Gamburri. Of this before to us a copy was made, we had prepared for press a life of most recent composition another, now to be of use for Notes, which through the same Magliabechius had sent Rev. P. Fr. Anthony de Terrinca, of the Tuscan Province alumnus; he sent however in Latin, with cited also at the end authors, both his own Franciscan Order and others; namely, the ancient Legend of the Minors of Florence in Append. The praise of him in various writers: vol. 1: Mark of Lisbon Chronicle part 2 book 1, chapter 11: Luke Wadding vol. 2 of the Annals at year 1277 num. 12: Algezira in the Tree epilogic of the whole Order: Palazius book 6 Chronicle of the Province of Castile chapter 25: de Sylla chapter 1 of the Third Rule: Franciscan Martyrology of Arthur on XIII May: Silvanus Razzius part 1 of the Lives of Saints of Tuscany fol. 335: Bosius part 1 book 9 of the History of the Knights of S John of Jerusalem. Bzovius vol. 13 Annal. Eccles. at year 1241 num. 15; and certain reports, by the very Rev. D. Bartholomew Magnani, current Plebanus of S. Domninus of Villa magna, exhibited: from whom the same we also received later about miracles or benefits, attributed to B. Gerard's intercession, some notice.
[4] He is said to have died in year 1242 From these authors James Bosius published his work in year MDXCIII, of those notices about B. Gerard's life and veneration he brings forth the authors alleging, the Commendator Fr. Peter Guadagni Florentine, who from the order of Hugo the Cardinal, his great Master, betook himself to the place all things exactly to know; and Fr. Julius Zanchini, of the same Order and country a Knight, who much more exactly did this: but reports the death of that Blessed at year MCC XLII, which also marking the author of the Life here to be given, as a more common opinion praises; even though he confesses certitude of that matter no one has. Luke Wadding, in years more than thirty after Bosius, in year MCCLXXII on Feria II of Pentecost, Wadding notes year 1277. III ides of May to have died Gerard establishes: which Arthur follows and we for now hold, at least as to the day, until some more certain reasoning occurs of its defining. I said as to the day, although these very well agree, the years and feria numbers; yet the tradition of the place opposes, from which Presbyter Bartholomew asserts him to have predicted his death on Friday; and therefore Terrinca suspects, that Wadding and others, who Feria II of Pentecost wrote, on this only foundation did this, that on such day he is venerated annually; but that this annual cult had its origin perhaps not because on such day he died, but because on such day he was brought into the church, completed within a year from his death of him: I add either because on such day after the ruin of the church by the Sienese made, in the restored chapel and consecrated began the body to be shown for public veneration to the people, which before does not seem to have been done. Certainly about year MCCLXXVII to be assigned to that death before Wadding no one seems to have thought: for when the Life was being written there were about him only two opinions, one for year MCCXLII, the other for MCCLIV. The opinion also about the same Blessed's birth, to about year MCLXXIV referable, as is noted at the beginning of the Life, opposes death beyond a hundred years to be deferred, since of so excessive old age there appears no trace in images or tradition.
[5] if 13 May feria 6 he died, rather should be placed in year 1245, Would that we knew, from what source Wadding received this day III Ides of May: for composing this with day Friday, we could opine the Saint to have died in year MCCXLIV, which anciently the Etruscans, accustomed to precede the Kalends of January by nine months, would have counted as XLV, which easily by the error of writers into XLII could be turned. Thus the Saint would have attained the year of age about the seventieth, and the eremitic life he could have begun after the first return from the Holy Land about the year of his life fortieth, and the chronotaxis of his life will be more convenient. and would be verified what about him already in the fiftieth year being the Chronicles of the Minors have, with Wadding as witness; to have received the habit of the third Order at Assisi from S. Francis himself, who lived until year MCCXXVI. But if he received it Gerard, not from the holy Patriarch himself, but from the Minister of the Assisi convent, as the author of the Life prefers, and to me is more probable; Gerard would still have been in the Holy Land, for a second time nine years after the first he having returned there, about year MCCXXVIII when concerning Frederick II Emperor, now openly against the Church rebelling, he predicted calamities to the same on that account to come, just as in the Life the same is said n. 7, and the beginnings of his eremitic Life nine years before the habit was taken begun can be deferred after the year of life fiftieth.
[6] Paul Minus the Florentine, in Bosius, in his discourse on Florentine Nobility, Whether among the Hospitallers he received the habit of Brother Servant? names Gerard Mucatti, and says he was a Brother Servant of the most noble Order of Knights of S. John of Jerusalem: which so admits Bosius, that he confesses it not established when or how he received the habit of Brother Servant. But of error he convicts Silvanus Razzius, asserting that as a young man he was led to Rhodes by Frederick Folco, Admiral of the Order; and from him or some of his kindred, inscribed in the same Order, received the said habit; since this Order before year MCCC IX did not obtain the said Island: yet Bosius supposes it certain, that even after taking the Tertiary Franciscan habit, he wore the insignia of the prior Order, namely a white Cross, sewn on his most rough garb, since thus he is painted even today. But the author of the Life, although into the Order received he confesses, lest from common opinion he depart, asserts however that its insignia or habit, only at death, was fitted to him: so much that from the fact that his Lords, with whom he grew up and with whom into the Holy-land twice he set out, this Order professed, it seems rather to be presumed than proved, that to the number of Brothers Servants was inscribed Gerard. Therefore, with the title less certain omitted, only we shall use the name of Franciscan Tertiary, so however that in nothing we wish to prejudice the most noble Order, claiming for itself no little right over him.
[7] About those whom in the sacred militia Gerard followed, Terrinca from Razzius and Bosius these things took: By the worthy and noble man Frederick de Folchis, whether he followed the Folchi to the sacred militia? of S. John of Jerusalem Knight and of the same most illustrious Militia of the Sea Prefect, who eighteen times (witness Christopher Landinus in the proem of the Commentaries on Dante) over enemies of the Catholic faith carried back triumph, or by some of his brother or nephew (three indeed germane brothers and eight nephews, witness the same Landinus, with the Cross of the same sacred Militia distinguished he had) to Florence into the proper houses of the Folchi was led. Razzius these things only doubtfully asserts, from this that Lord Zenobius Cassi Doctor of Laws Florentine, to whom a wife had fallen daughter of Simon Folchus, in whom the Folchi family ended, had shown to him an exemplar of a certain memorial, written in year MCCCXXXIX, whence was established, that the said family their possessions in Villa magna had had. Bosius, as we said above, denies that by them to Rhodes Gerard could have been led, dying much before namely than the Hospitallers there set foot. But by the same right seem to be removed from Gerard led into the Holy-land Frederick Folchus and his brothers and nephews; since indeed Frederick himself was Admiral of the Order. The Order does not seem to have had ships and naval Magistrates long before the end of the XIII century, since indeed Bosius through that whole and the preceding century found no naval battles much less indications of victories. It could however before Frederick the Admiral, that family already from the beginning of the said century have had in that Order Knights, whom Gerard served; whence the same family always to him devoted existed, perhaps and his church, as says the same Terrinca, in great part built and endowed, just as seem to indicate the insignia, on the altar and church, and a certain annual portion, which to the Priory of S. James in Campo Corbolini pays this church. But also these things must be understood of the church, as it is after its destruction restored: and so they seem to be founded only on this, that the family of the Folchi was at Villa-magna at the time of that restoration more powerful than the rest.
LIFE
By Bartholomew a Quercu Parish priest of the place. from MS. Italian preserved at Florence.
Gerard, Solitary of the Third Order of S. Francis, at Villa-magna near Florence (Bl.)
BY BART. PAR. FROM A MS.
[1] Born in the country. Born is this glorious Saint about the year MCLXXIV, although in time many vary, some earlier, some later referring him. He was born however near Florence at an interval of five miles in a mountainous place, in a village which is called Villa-grandis, which name today is rendered Villa-magna, of a rustic father and mother. He was twelve, when, on occasion of pestilence raging deprived of his parents, he remained an orphan; and his Lords, a forced to seek new tenants for their estates, the boy led to Florence, and inserted into their family: where piously and Christianly educated he grew up. It happened then to one of his Lords, and by his Lord led to Florence that he had necessity for the cause of sacred war into Syria to set out against the infidels: but he is believed to have been from the family of the Folchi, who at that time had many possessions in Villa-magna, and himself was a Hierosolymitan Knight. He there with him to lead Gerard wished, on account of his good disposition, of which he had given experiment in the family, beloved by him. Having landed however in the Holy-land they were tossed by various events: and captured by the infidels, after huge afflictions tolerated, they were redeemed.
[2] After these things dies the patron of Gerard: wherefore having visited the most holy tomb of the Lord and other places holy, afterwards with one of them sails to Syria once, he returned to Etruria: and having greeted at Florence the rest of his Lords, into his small hut at Villa-magna he withdrew. He had not yet there spent two years, when by another Lord from the same family recalled, and again to the parts of the infidels, however much he resisted, was led. For the generous Knight, and most desirous to engage battle with the Saracens, was not ignorant of the dangers to which himself he was going to expose; and on this account desired to have as companion Gerard, whose prayers to God he believed most acceptable to be, and again with another, and to himself useful would be he hoped. Nor for long was deferred his experience, on which that pious credulity rested, of the truth. For while into Syria they were sailing with twenty soldiers, of whom leader and captain was the Lord himself; they encountered a certain pirate ship of the infidels, with more than a hundred armed men equipped. Frightened were the soldiers with their Captain, and would gladly have taken flight, if there had been hope of escaping the danger: but encouraged by the Saint they were, and in some way to battle forced with promised victory. With ships joined therefore battle is entered, for which by prayers he obtains victory with Gerard with bent knees making prayer, and in a brief time is obtained glorious victory, with Christians only two missing, but slain fifty of the infidels, the rest captured. From this such veneration to his Lord was Gerard, that he undertook nothing nor decided, however small, except from his counsel: nor only this one so esteemed him, but also other soldiers many with greatest him followed honor.
[3] For seven solid years, in this second time, in those parts had been the Blessed; when yielding to his modesty, and seventh after year having returned not bearing that he be everywhere held as endowed with notable virtue, the faculty of returning to his country from his Lord he asked, and barely obtained from him, to whom most troublesome was to be despoiled of so holy a companion; obtained however, promising that constantly he would for him pray. Then he boarded a ship with several companions: which by a grave thrown tempest, he takes the habit of Tertiary. and now and now about to be submerged, was freed by the prayers of B. Gerard: who having landed in Tuscany b, before he sought his country again, set out to Assisi, where from the Minister of the convent of S. Francis he obtained the habit c of the third Order: and wore it as long as he lived to the knees shortened, of rough cloth of ash color, with a shorter little cloak: and so to his place returned, which a Grottis, that is from Crypts, the name was: nor further to another place he migrated.
[4] The occupation of this holy Hermit other was almost not than continuous prayer in deserted and pious places: sometimes also he visited the sick, he assists the sick, and to them as he could assisted. Sometimes he transferred himself to the heads of public ways, about to ask from passers-by alms, which then on the poor he might disburse: nor was it difficult notable even sums to collect, since each held it of great happiness for himself, to asking Gerard to be able to give something: but he himself nothing of these kept for himself for his proper uses, but entirely for the love of God disbursed. If sometimes it happened that he did not fulfill the customary measure of prayers, on account of the visitation of the sick or other from cause, the defect night supplied, through those harsh paths walking; or he ascended onto a height (where now is his church and body) since there under an ancient tabernacle was a certain image of the most blessed Virgin, and there often he was seen to spend the night. he spends nights in prayer, He was wont besides to visit the church of S. Lawrence at Vicchio, two miles distant, toward Florence: sometimes he approached a place which is called… ad Incontrum [d]: he avoided however as much as he could, lest in prayer he be caught: therefore he penetrated himself, if it was day, into the dense parts of forests and hidden parts of valleys, in which themselves yet often he was seen by peasants with bent knees to stand.
[5] For daily food bread and small herbs sufficed him, sometimes also moderate vegetables he used: he fasts much, he fasted however thrice a week, and through the whole greater Lent, observing besides other fasts which are in use of the Conventuals. Hater of much-speaking he avoided feasts and public assemblies, accustomed to say, that the tongue kills the soul. Asked once that a certain his kinsman dying he visit, who across the Arno dwelt in a place, of Mons-Albanus e the name, he went there as if compelled, and there persisted until the sick man should die, continuous for him prayers to God pouring forth, and all those things doing which could from Christian charity be hoped. But when the corpse, which was still at home, was to be buried; a boy fallen from on high with bruised head he heals. a boy of years five from a certain platform of the house fell upon a heap of rocks, and most vehemently injured his head suffered, all with copious blood drenched. The Saint pitying the doubled calamity of one family, took up the boy, wiped away the blood, bound around his head, placed him on a little bed, and his face with a sudarium with which for proper use he was girded covered. The hour was then twenty-fourth: in the morning however about the tenth hour the boy rose safe and healthy, as if no evil he had suffered, with greatest admiration of those standing around: whose applause for so notable a miracle not bearing, he had soon to depart from the place.
[6] a stone box he transports by miracle. It happened once, that in the company of his Curate with other peasants he went to expedite a certain business; but when he returned, a beautiful box made of gray stone he beheld, with God inspiring, it for his love he asked and obtained. Then a kinsman of his he asked, that it with oxen he transport to his small place. He had only a pair of small and untamed bullocks: and to move so great a burden three pair of oxen would seem barely sufficient, and many men there would be need, since they were distant from the place by three miles, and ditches and rocks and other obstacles had to be crossed not without danger to be overcome: so judged all, that an impossible thing was being asked, and to their own each withdrew. The following day alone there returned the Saint, and his kinsman on account of the love of God he asked, that his bullocks he yoke: which done alone they two began to draw that box, and with greatest ease brought it to the place where now it is, with the peasants stupefied at the sight of so evident a miracle. f
[7] With the gift of prophecy also adorned the Saint various future things foretold; and especially to his Lord prior, setting out to the Saracen war, foretold, that he would never return to Tuscany; foretelling future things by the spirit of prophecy. and likewise very many evils would come to the Emperor of that time g, because he was waging war against the Church and her Pontiff: which all things certain proved the outcome. But in his country a certain widow, named Bartholomaea, who had an estate toward the Arno, he forewarned that for her safety she should keep watch; that in the same week she would incur danger lest without Confession she die: indeed and the Curate of the place he asked, that watchful with her he should remain and confessing her hear. But he little discreet Pastor, having seen the woman, to the words of the Saint did not give faith; but to his home returned, thinking so slight an indisposition could not bring on her death so sudden. Scarcely however had he reached the threshold of his house, when to him is brought news of the unforeseen of that woman's death: and so was verified the prediction of the Saint, that without Confession she would die.
[8] Now the fame of his sanctity around was being borne, and from ten miles ran to Gerard peoples, he heals one touched by witchcraft, needing help. Among these was a certain Dominicus from Ponte Seva, whose daughter Mary by witchcraft infected, more than for the second year was held in bed, lacking all faculty of moving the limbs, so that not even an arm could she lift: and most grievous in her whole body she suffered pains. At last despairing of all hope the father went to the Saint, asking for the deliverance of his daughter; and after many repulsions begged him, that he be permitted to take his staff, with which he was wont his weary limbs to support. But when he had brought it home, and over the bed of his suffering daughter had placed it, he predicts the punishment of a blasphemer, she after great vomiting immediately rose entirely healthy. To a certain muleteer, with two beasts of burden carrying wood to Florence, he predicted that in the Arno he would perish, unless he abstained from blaspheming: and no less was it done. For when on a certain day in the morning he was about to cross the said river, the rope was loosened from a hook, by which the little boat was held, and following the impetus of the water, was submerged it with the muleteer, but the beasts of burden saved escaped to the bank.
[9] A woman called aside once to private things, who from making Confession was returning, a sacrilegious confessor he knows and corrects, he warned she had to return to the church, that she might make a complete confession. The woman obeyed the words of the Saint: and to the Confessor returning also that sin declared which for ten years she had hidden through shame, and which by diabolic illusion prevailing was forced to be silent, as often as to the feet of the Confessor she approached. In a certain his infirmity by two friends Florentine visited, one of them he asked, that he should beware for himself most carefully, for he was about to be in danger lest by enemies he be attacked. He averts a danger foretold to his friend. He prayed therefore the other that himself to God he should commend, and with his prayers' efficacy assist: then with good hope and full of promises to the city he returned. Scarcely had ten days passed, when he in the night time seized by enemies, the holy Gerard began to invoke. Nor that in vain: for he felt as if by his arm to be shaken off the blows; and although wounded he was, within a few yet days from his wounds he was healed.
[10] He was, as I said, the Saint of solitude and silence most loving: he impresses signs of hands on a rock: therefore with words as he could fewest he used toward those by whom help was sought, and so consoled dismissed: but neither by all seeking him was he found, since very often into valleys and hidden and remote places he withdrew and to the shaded parts of forests: and there in prayers and meditations long-lasting he was insistent, mostly on his knees, which from this assiduity greatest calluses had contracted. Are seen even today his hands' signs, impressed on a rock which he had grasped, when intent on prayer the Tartarean enemy backward dragging, was striving to hurl him from on high [h]: for the rock yielded to his fingers, like soft wax, and so from that danger he was freed. A certain Peter Bembus also, dwelling in a house near the Saint himself, affirmed for certain, that on a certain morning having gone out for wood, from the place in which Gerard was praying, he saw rising a flame or great splendor. a heavenly flame illuminating him as he prayed But since not yet was clear day, terrified Peter somewhat stopped, then little by little approached the place: which when he reached, immediately the flame disappeared, and was found the Saint kneeling and copiously weeping and vehemently lamenting. Then helped him Peter so that he should rise, and to his home led, continuing his tears and groans, of which the cause he said was his and others' sins of crime.
[11] So great meanwhile was the celebrity of his name in those parts, that no day passed, without someone coming to him for the cause of help, not without great trouble of his, who took it ill that by that reason he was distracted from his prayers, yet no one without consolation was wont to dismiss. Many at variance among themselves he reconciled, many lawsuits composed, many quarrels settled, in January he finds cherries, from which otherwise would have followed slaughters of many men. Once being sick in the month of January, four cherries he desired, and a certain his sister widow he ordered them to go pluck, indicating the place and the very branch from which they were to be gathered. She did not however wish to go herself, but a small daughter i of hers twelve-year-old she sent, who found them; and brought to the Saint a beautiful branch, fresh, and with leaves adorned its own, as if it had been the middle of May, with great admiration of those standing by and from the tenderness of devotion and the magnitude of the miracle into tears bursting forth [k]. At another time from the visitation of a certain sick man returning, with a certain Luke del Pesca, he met a fox carrying off a hen already killed: a hen from a fox restored to life he makes. he ordered however the Saint, that he should bring it back to where he had taken it; and the beast obeyed, but he his journey continued. At other times visited by a certain Father Benedictine, who his Confessor was, when he was infirm (for thrice he was sick to death, but about two prior infirmities he had foretold, that he would recover from them, but about this third he had affirmed, the day of death foretold that it would be the last) with the said Father saying, he should be of good mind, for quickly he would be healed; he responded, not so it would be, but on the next Friday l the end of his life would be set.
[12] He took therefore the last Sacraments as he could most devoutly, piously dies, and asking from those standing around pardon for his errors, was heard with the Most Blessed Virgin and his holy Patrons to converse; and so with countenance smiling, on the very Friday he had foretold, his soul to the Lord God he rendered. With him dead spread around was the fame of the matter within not two complete days: and so great was the concourse of peoples, that by order of the Florentine Dominate had to be applied a military guard. But when the body was placed on a wooden ark; this was placed upon a truncated oak, and [m] a fence was made around it: and so great alms were brought there, so many votive offerings, that before a month passed, was begun to be built a church over n a height, where today the holy body rests; and to which while he lived he had ordered to be drawn the o stone box, from alms collected is built the church of which above mention has been made. There was deposited however that sacred pledge, with running to it with greatest devotion innumerable people, under the crypt of the new fabric. This was done before the year ended, and began the people of neighboring churches to come processionally to honor the new Saint and invoke. Some wish it was the year MCCXLII, others the year MCCLIV note: the first is the more common opinion, but the truth itself is not known.
[13] which around 1360 was destroyed soon was restored Further when about the year MCCCLX, four years less or more, from the Sienese County there was against the Florentines a military excursion, and a passage was made through the church of the Saint, was this much defaced and destroyed; and taken from the place much furniture, and similar to a miracle can be considered, that the very holy Relics were not burned, with God perhaps hiding them from the eyes of those barbarians, who even sacred things did not spare. With them however completely departed little by little to be restored and repaired began the said chapel, not however with that beauty with which it had been before. Afterwards in year MDLI by theft was taken the veil or sudarium, in year 1551 the Saint's sudarium is taken away. with which inside the casket was covered the holy body: from tradition however was believed, it to be that with which Gerard was wont, from a journey some wearied, to wipe away sweat: and therefore on occasion of the sick often was sought, and home was carried by the faithful: to whom by it as medium our Lord God very many miraculous cures granted, especially against fevers. The author of the sacrilege, who this treasure into his region took away, is not certainly known: but the suspicion of many marked a certain Casentine Priest, of whom it is reported, that his neck he broke. But in place of that, which was taken away, another similar was placed.
[14] As for the habit of the Knights of Rhodes, is believed the Saint in his life never to have worn its customary insignia, although by his Patrons interceding he had been received into the Order: but the very habit was first after death placed on him. Doubt moreover none is, that this holy Hermit worked many miracles: Life is described. but all into oblivion came through frequent military incursions and pestilence raging. But this history composed and found Presbyter Bartholomew John della Quercia, formerly of the said place's Curate, received from many witnesses worthy of trust and through the tradition of that region. But when was being built the chapel or little church for the Saint, were by devout persons there deposited, one tray, one bowl, and one cup, and certain other things, which had been to Gerard living in daily use, in total five parts. The sudarium however the said after the death of the Saint so many miracles did, that by tradition is held, that commonly was wont to be said, there was need of the sudarium of the holy Hermit, especially against fevers. [p]
ANNOTATIONS.
APPENDIX
From the Italian letter of Bartholomew Magnani, now Parish priest of S. Domnino at Villa-magna.
Gerard, Solitary of the Third Order of S. Francis, at Villa-magna near Florence (Bl.)
[15] In year MDCXXXI, with pestilence raging through Italy, at the very beginning of the contagious evil, exposed on a most ornate platform, the body is exposed in time of pestilence: in the middle of the church, was the holy body, in Franciscan habit: to which to be venerated and help to be sought, for whole three days, in which it so stood, was an innumerable concourse of people from all places around: and that many were healed from disease, are made credible by the very many vows, soon hung up through the church. Through years then continuous three, in which the plague raged fiercely, in the neighboring towns no one was breathed upon by contagion; but neither did anyone die, except two old men, whom heavy age rather than any other evil longer did not allow to live.
[16] There was in his certain country house D. Francis Nasi, a Florentine Noble, at that time when the plague was most raging: from which is preserved his family commended to him. this however manifested itself in a certain servant of his, who had contracted it at Florence: not however to anyone else passed, although with his domestics other and externals whoever, with his master himself, suspecting nothing of evil, he had associated familiarly; although also by another youth touched was the very pestilent tumor under one of the armpits; thinking it came from the violent inflation of a certain horn while the said youth was teaching him to play it: only however the servant, as the same youth afterwards told me, to Ancisa his native place returned, there within two days died. But that no one was infected, attributed D. Francis to the vow, which he had vowed to B. Gerard, himself and his family in such present danger commending to him: wherefore also in thanksgiving he took care that there be instituted by those peoples a solemn procession: and he himself donated to the oratory, in which the holy body is preserved, a cope and a chasuble of red Ormesino, which today still remain, and an indication of the benefit they offer, with woven on themselves letters EX VOTO.
[17] A certain by surname de Radichis from Ponte Seva, for twenty-five years from the middle part of himself from the belt down paralytic; a paralytic is given walking, so that scarcely a little himself he could move with the support of crutches under armpits; vowing a vow to B. Gerard recovered, and afterwards most freely walking, in thanksgiving his crutches in the oratory offered: where even now they are seen hung. In the same place the Prefect of the public guard (they call him Bargello) from a grave disease despaired of by doctors, is healed a despairing sick man, asked that to him be brought the veil of the said Blessed which there is preserved: at whose presence soon to have better he began, and within a few days from all recovered: in thanksgiving however he ordered to be made a silver casket, in which the said veil now is preserved. The matter happened twenty-two years ago, and that Prefect (as much as I remember) was called Caesar Acciari.
[18] Of singular happiness moreover the whole around territory reckons, hail noxious is averted. that the Blessed has such grace with God, that by it as medium it remains secure and free from hail, although in more remote places hence great damages it often makes. But if these sometime begin to fall and threaten harm, as soon as the bells are sounded with invocation of B. Gerard, immediately you may see scattered the clouds with damaging frost heavy, and to elsewhere driven away: of which matter most certain trust offers frequent experiment. The multitude of vows, here brought in testimony of received graces, that these also were many proves: but since they are not consigned to writing, therefore them to set forth I omit.
[19] But years are about eight, that I Bartholomew Magnani, the body is transferred to a new chest. Presbyter and at present Parish priest of this place, took care that there be made a new chest, and into it from the old transferred the body of B. Gerard, with no one except my Chaplain assisting, he by the feet, I by the shoulders it raising, just as if recently dead it had been. And then with permission of D. Bardus the General Vicar, with running to the spectacle innumerable people, it on the altar exposed remained, somewhat less beautiful than it had been seen at the first exposition, since the multitude of torches, and the air by such a crowd of men breathing reciprocated, it with a certain soot then infected: and from that time has fallen also a good part of the hairs, which sufficiently dense until then to the head had adhered.