Cantius

ON SS. CANTIUS, CANTIANUS, AND CANTIANILLA, AND S. PROTUS THEIR PEDAGOGUE IN THE FAITH, MARTYRS AT AQUILEIA IN FRIULI.

A.D. CCXC.

PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.

On the Cult and the Acts: were these written by S. Ambrose?

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

G. H.

Aquileia, set in the present-day territory of Friuli, once a city of the Carni, and as Strabo testifies the emporium of the Illyrian peoples, At Aquileia among other Saints are venerated. and on account of the frequency of inhabitants and the affluence of riches and of all things, once the Seat of the Caesars, and like another Rome was held. To this from S. Peter sent S. Mark the Evangelist, planted the faith of Christ; and thence about to depart for Alexandria, he ordained as successor S. Hermagoras the Bishop; as we said at the Life of S. Mark on the XXV of April, and again it must be said on the day XII of July, on which S. Hermagoras, with Fortunatus his Deacon, suffered martyrdom. Among other Saints there were crowned with the palm of martyrdom, S. Hilarius the Bishop, Tatianus the Deacon, Felix, Largus, and Dionysius, under the Emperor Numerianus, whose Acts we illustrated on the XVI day of March. Of this Numerianus and Carinus the brothers and of Carus the father blood-relatives were SS. Cantius and Cantianus the brothers, and Cantianilla their Sister, who by S. Protus the pedagogue in the Catholic faith excellently instructed, with him under Diocletian and Maximian in the territory of Aquileia beheaded, on this XXXI of May with solemn veneration are venerated. They were beheaded in the year of Christ CCXC, as follows from the Chronology, established by us on the III of April at the Acts of the holy Agape, Chionia and Irene, equally led from Aquileia to Thessalonica, together with their Judges Dulcidius and Sisinnius: who afterwards sent back to Aquileia after one month stirred up this new tragedy.

[2] Boninus Mombritius, in the first volume of the Legendary printed two hundred years ago, inserted the passion of the Holy Cantian Martyrs, Acts of martyrdom in Mombritius attributed to S. Ambrose of Milan. which he asserts was published by S. Ambrose Bishop of Milan, with this exordium: The servant of Christ Ambrose Bishop, to the Brethren worshipping Christ true God throughout all Italy, in the Lord all greeting. From these some compendium exists among the Sermons of S. Ambrose, by Georg Wicelius in the History of the Saints of God, and by Laurentius Surius reprinted on this XXXI of May, with this exordium. Today is the birthday of the most blessed Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla: and presently with the particle added, How, the rest is taken from the Acts in Mombritius, in this manner: How well and joyfully three Martyrs are called by almost one word. Nor is it wonderful, as also the compendium: if those are similar in name, who are similar in passion. If one is among men their appellation, who with God have one calling. For uniformly are they called by the Lord, not at different times one and another way suffered, but all at the same blow equally bore martyrdom. Which indeed was granted to them by a kind of paternal affection from Christ, that they should agree in merits, who agreed in names; [and] who were brothers by blood, should become brothers in sanctity; and whose limbs the substance of one body quickened, their souls the confession of the same faith should crown. So there, also for this reason brought forth by us, that the same things in the Acts to be given below are not had: whose last words about blood-relationship were omitted in Mombritius: in whom about Dulcidius the Praeses and Sisinnius the Count, and the denunciation of these Martyrs to them many things are brought forth, in place of which in the said Compendium these things are had: But the history reports of the above said Blessed ones, that at the time of the passion, when the persecutor was searching for them: and then the rest is in Mombritius, the chariot mounted up to these last words: We profess to precede us to glory. Then is narrated how they were apprehended, and because they refused to offer incense to Jove, were adjudged to death; what prayers they then poured out and how at length they were beheaded, and buried, in the said Compendium is wrapped in deep silence. We, leaving to others the liberty of thinking otherwise, judge the said Compendium was taken from some Lessons, accustomed to be recited at Matins. Similar Lessons, taken from lessons: from a certain old Breviary, according to the rite of the holy Church of Aquileia, the most illustrious Senator Joannes Chauvin published, in the elogia of these three Martyrs, in the year MDCLXX issued at Paris, and at the end of the same added the subscription of Joannes Josephus Capodaleus, Doctor of both Laws and Secretary of the Aquileian Chapter, with the seal of the Chapter itself. With faith for Capodaleus making Cossinus, Notary of the Patriarchal Curia of Aquileia, with the seal of the Patriarch of Aquileia. Meanwhile these Lessons are found wholly taken from Mombritius, but they only begin from the above-indicated, the chariot mounted, and then to the end of martyrdom and burial are carried. The said Chauvin in the later edition added the Acts, just as they were once brought forth into light by Mombritius.

[3] Other monuments hitherto unedited we have obtained; and first from a triple MS. codex namely from St. Omer of the monastery of S. Bertin, Other Acts from MSS. from Trier of the monastery of S. Maximinus, and from Utrecht of the Church of S. Saviour. Others Joannes Gamansius submitted to us, copied by him from the MS. Passional of the cloister of Bödeken of the Order of Canons Regular in the diocese of Paderborn: but these differ from the others only in phrase here and there, and in many places are abridged. Finally certain fuller Acts we found in the year MDCLXI in the city of Florence, in the MS. Codex of the most illustrious Florentine Senator Carolus Strozzi, marked no. 5, where on folio 177 are had, which we, collated with other MSS. and with Mombritius, give. In them all no mention is prefaced of S. Ambrose, which is found in Mombritius; nor, even if it were prefaced, would we forthwith dare to assert, that he himself truly wrote such Acts or others. Baronius would prefer to ascribe them to S. Maximus Bishop of Turin. But Bellarmine on Ecclesiastical Writers, since he found various Sermons ascribed to S. Ambrose among the Sermons of S. Maximus, plainly confesses it cannot be judged, whether they should be attributed to Ambrose or to Maximus; but whose-soever they may be, they are of an ancient and holy Author. The same we also say of the prefaced Acts, even if they were of neither of these, plainly to be of an ancient Author. Compendia of the same, just as in the said MSS. they are had, are found in Petrus de Natalibus book 5, ch. 70, and in various Breviaries, of which we shall treat below.

[4] Memory in the sacred Fasti. The sacred memory of these Martyrs is everywhere inscribed in all Latin Martyrologies, and in the apograph of S. Hieronymus, from the old MS. of Corbie printed at Paris, in these words: On the day before the Kalends of June, in Aquileia the Birthday of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, Protus, Chrysogonus, and Cantianilla. In the MS. of Epternach the name of Cantius is missing by fault of the scribe, as palaestra in the MS. of Lucca. In the MS. of the Queen of Sweden published by Holstenius the name of Protus is missing, perhaps for this reason, that in the Church of Aquileia he is venerated separately on the XIV of June: as S. Chrysogonus, himself also a noted Martyr of Aquileia, on the XXIV of November. Rabanus in his Martyrology noted these things: On the same day were martyred the most blessed Martyrs, Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, with Diocletian reigning. Usuard has these things: Near the city of Aquileia the birthday of the holy Martyrs, Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla brothers, who when they drew their lineage from the family of the Anicii, on account of the constancy of the Christian faith, together with their pedagogue Protus, were beheaded. The like have Ado, Notker, Bellinus, and others more recent with the present-day Roman Martyrology: where in the Notes Baronius treats at length of the family of the Anicii, and Cantianilla among the Virgins. illustrated not only by Consuls and Emperors, but also nobilitated by Martyrs and Confessors, as in the course of our work will often appear. Antonius Gallonius a Roman of the Congregation of the Oratory issued at Rome in the year MDXCI a History of the Holy Roman Virgins, when Cæsar Baronius there was writing the Ecclesiastical Annals, and among them reckons S. Cantianilla, Virgin and Martyr, whose Acts and those of her brothers he there describes. The same among the Virgins is venerated by Franciscus Lahierius in their Menology, and Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum. Otherwise, lest by chance to anyone the most German names of three Germans be suspect, calling into doubt, whether such a thing was usual in those times; let him take an example from the three sons of Constantine the Great, who were called Constantine, Constans, and Constantius.

ACTS OF MARTYRDOM.

From various MSS. and from Mombritius.

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

BHL Number: 1546

FROM A MS.

The Deeds of the Saints useful for the readers: All things, which by the Saints have been done or are done, if anyone shall wish studiously to inquire, both to himself and to very many produces the fruit of edification: just as a fruitful tree is not without cause approved to occupy the ground while it lives, since both itself with its fruits is adorned, and everyone who shall have received from the fruit is fattened ^a. We write, as in the deeds we have found, what the Saints did, what they spoke, what they suffered. You show yourselves to be Catholics, who gladly read and gladly hear the victories of Christ. I ask you, who reckon these things among apocryphal writings to be abolished: by whom does the Canon of the divine Scriptures stand? Is it not through those, who for that very Canon chose rather to be killed than to be conquered? What then? The Martyrs held the right faith, which is contained in the sacred volumes by a certain number of books. The most sacred writings give thanks to them, because by their perseverance they persevere; and therefore they wish their deeds to be written, and commended by the Scriptures, for whose preserving they suffered. that in the sight of God and of men the Saints may always be praised, who in the sight of unbelievers for their defense bore monstrous torments. Receiving nothing besides the Canonical Scriptures, these things studiously we have written, showing the Catholic dogma guarded by Catholic Martyrs: an example we give to posterity, edification we hand down to believers, the art of war we demonstrate to the soldiers of Christ. It is established that they are not willing, if necessary, to fight, who are not willing to read of the fighters. Let them command silence to the unbelievers; let them watch the diabolical pugilists, who scorn to watch the athletes of the Lord. We speak of the divine virtues, we write, we preach. Let the rivals prohibit, let the timid command silence, let those who scorn beat us, let the mourners chide, let those who gladly hear these things accuse. Wounds make soldiers glorious, received for the Emperor's praise; for whose love we even our souls gladly choose to lose. The labors of Christ's triumphs and victories we bring forth from the hidden places to the armies. We know the battles, which they visibly suffered, are invisibly stirred up to us daily, and those negligently resisting are more sharply wounded: therefore that you may handle arms, attend to those waging war; give your mind to study, that the enemy may begin to fear you.

[2] The most blessed Martyrs of Christ therefore, Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, we read, brothers begotten of the stock of the Anicii, by their pedagogue Protus to have been very Catholically taught the faith, who from the family of the Anicii, that is of divine memory of the Emperor Carinus, are known to be begotten, and within the city of Rome in the fourteenth region to have been begotten and educated are proved, with Diocletian reigning at Rome, Maximian in the Illyrian parts, Carinus also within Gaul ^b doing well toward the Christians, who not after much time ^c died. After whose death the most criminal Emperors Diocletian and Maximian ^d, throughout all the Provinces issued decrees, that wheresoever Christians were found, if they should despise to sacrifice, they should be afflicted with diverse penalties. And when these edicts had been heard by the most Blessed Christ's Martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus, and Cantianilla, when they had been placed in the city of Rome, they distribute all things to the poor, counsel having been taken with B. Protus, that they might avoid the iniquitous sentence, all their goods and the houses, which within the walls of the city of Rome they had, by selling they distributed to the poor: and the male and female slaves, whom they had about in souls seventy-three, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, made them freeborn. Then their estates set in the suburb under the appearance of visitation they decreed to circle, and with this occasion posited from the city of Rome they went out, and near the Aquileian city, for love of the most Christian Martyr Chrysogonus, at the same time they returned: in which city at that time they possessed not small lands. But because the light could not lie hidden in the darkness, it was necessary that the Lord should crown them for the glory of His name.

[3] And when the holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, going to Aquileia, and Cantianilla with Protus their pedagogue had entered into the Aquileian city; they found a harsher savagery against Christians, than they had left at Rome. For the whole multitude of the holy Martyrs and Confessors for the name of Christ were held in the chains of prisons in custody, so that they could not be numbered. And when the holy Martyrs of God had entered into the city of Aquileia; in the silence of the dead night they came to the prison, and asked the Christian men, they comfort the Christians in prison: who were shut up in prison, if with them was the most holy Martyr of Christ Chrysogonus. Then said to them the holy Martyrs who were in prison: It is now thirty-six days, that through the palm of martyrdom by the most iniquitous Princes was beheaded [e] S. Chrysogonus, not far from this city, in the place where it is called, At the stepped waters, and there he was buried by the most holy Zoilus the Presbyter. These things hearing the Martyrs of Christ Cantius, and Cantianus, and Protus, and Cantianilla, began for joy to weep with those who were in prison: and money having been given to the prison-keepers, through the whole night they remained there. In the morning going forth from the prison, they shine with miracles: preaching our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His name doing many signs, they enlightened the blind, cleansed the lepers, drove out demons, and on those who were in beds laying hands they made them whole.

[4] At the same time in the same Aquileian city ^f Dulcidius the most impious held the office of Praesidate with Sisinnius his Count. they refuse to offer incense to the gods: So hearing the most iniquitous Judges, that the holy ones of God Cantius, Cantianus, and Protus, and Cantianilla had come from Rome, immediately they are ordered to be summoned by the apparitors, that they should put incense to the gods. Then the most blessed Martyrs Cantius and Cantianus, Protus and Cantianilla, looking up to heaven, replied: We do not sacrifice to demons; for it is written, All the gods of the gentiles are demons, but the Lord made the heavens. And again; Let those who make them, and all who trust in them, become like to them. Go therefore, announce to your iniquitous Praeses, that we for the name of Christ choose rather to die, than to depart from his commands: since from our very cradles we confess the Lord Jesus Christ. But they returning reported to the Praeses all things which had been done. Then Dulcidius the Praeses, together with Sisinnius the Count, much moved gave such a suggestion to the impious [g] Diocletian and Maximian: and by command of the Emperors, Most pious emperors, support the Roman laws, for which your victorious right hand bends the necks of enemies; and to the omnipotent gods, who are despised by the Christians, give aid. For there have come three brothers from the city of Rome, who from the family of the Emperor Carinus are known to be, with Protus their pedagogue, of one mind strongly resisting and confessing Christ, that one, whom the Jews under Pontius Pilate the Praeses crucified in Judaea; they are condemned capitally: and in His name they work many miracles: hence what your command shall decree, decree. With these heard the most criminal Diocletian and Maximian were vehemently moved with anger, and gave this authority, that if they should refuse to sacrifice, they should be punished with capital sentence.

[5] And when the iniquitous sentence had reached the most blessed Martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus, and Cantianilla, with the chariot mounted together with their pedagogue Protus they went out from the Aquileian city, they are encouraged by Christ: hastening to go to the body of the holy Martyr of Christ Chrysogonus, having before their eyes the divine Scripture, which says: Come blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For these most blessed Martyrs in that very night the Lord ^h deigned to visit, saying to them: Peace be to you. Hasten to go to my beloved Chrysogonus, since there for you I have crowns prepared: and there you must be crowned, and in the kingdom of my Father with Chrysogonus rejoice without end; and do not be saddened, for if they shall persecute you in one city, flee to another: and, Those who persecute you, persecute me also. And in the morning it is announced to the most iniquitous Judges, that the Saints of God had hastened away. Then Sisinnius the Count together with the executioners, by the command of the most impious Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, follow them ⁱ.

[6] But the most blessed martyrs Cantius, and Cantianus, and Cantianilla, together with their pedagogue Protus, with the chariot mounted with mules yoked hastened to depart. And as they were going, and not far from the walls of the city were making their journey, one of the yoked animals suddenly fell, in the place which is called At the stepped waters, ^k where Blessed Chrysogonus suffered; that the Lord might fulfill these things, at the Stepped waters, which David the Prophet through the Holy Spirit said: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity; and, A precept has the Lord set, and it shall not pass away. Ps. 132, 1 and 148, 6. When the holy Martyrs were there, where S. Chrysogonus had suffered, placing their knees they prayed, saying; Lord Jesus Christ, omnipotent God, they pour out prayers: direct your holy Angel to our help, that all may be confounded who adore graven images. We pray therefore, Lord, that you deign us to be persevering in this calling, unto the praise and glory of your name, and unto the strengthening of the hearts of those believing in you; that all may know who serve idols, that there is no other except you alone God, whom the Angels serve.

[7] But while they were thus praying, came up Sisinnius the Count with his executioners: thus they were apprehended by the persecutors. they are compared to Elias the Prophet How glorious is this deed, and disposed by the divinity, we ought to note. For always God leads those whom He has chosen, victors with sublime conveyance into the hall of the heavenly kingdom. For just as Elias with the chariot applied ascended into heaven, so also these with a chariot brought up reached martyrdom: and the four-horse chariot, just as it carried him to rest, so it bore them to glory. And although that was a fiery chariot, this however is not to be considered inferior: since that bore one Prophet, this sustained three Martyrs. But someone will say, The fiery chariot bore more gloriously, than the earthly. Nor did this clearly fail the holy men: for as Elias the fiery chariot bore, so the holy Martyrs a fiery faith now bore. Deut. 4, 24. He bore them, I say, Christ, who is light, who is fire, of whom is written, Our God is a consuming fire. Therefore when upon the Blessed, of whom we speak, the persecutor was pressing, the chariot they mounted. For what cause? That they might flee? Far be it: but that they might come more quickly to martyrdom. Not that they might hide, but that they might show themselves Christians to all passing by ^l. Certainly more secretly among many they could remain in the city: but they did this, that the hearts of the whole people, while they fled through diverse places, might be inflamed with the love of Christ. But indeed, where one with chariot prepared and arranged through the public road goes forth, for they went of their own accord in a chariot to the contest. this is not to be called flight, but progress. For the holy men by this deed, as if placed in a triumphal chariot, attested saying: Behold the persecutor, behold we set forth, behold we precede. Why do you sit? why do you delay? Follow our footsteps, for we do not wish to seem unwilling to be led to punishment, who profess to precede us to glory ^m.

[8] Then Sisinnius the Count ⁿ hearing these things, ordered the blessed Martyrs to be apprehended, then the Judge exhorts them, constant in faith, to burn incense to Jupiter. But the most blessed servants of God execrating said, that they would never sacrifice to demons, but to the omnipotent God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things which are in them: for all idols together, and those who worship them, with the same shall go into eternal fire. Then the impious Sisinnius the Count upon hearing this, was greatly angered, and ordered the executioners, that, if they should not give incense to Jupiter, they should be beheaded. But the most blessed Martyrs Cantius, prayers poured out, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, together with Protus the pedagogue, rejoicing and singing psalms were led by the executioners. Then the most blessed servants of God, with hands extended to heaven, poured out a prayer to the Lord, saying: Lord Jesus Christ, who to those persevering in your name said you would be father and mother, and for temporal things future ones; and for things to perish perpetual ones, and for earthly riches incorrupt life with eternal felicity promised to give; we beseech you, lover of pure conscience, that you look from the height of the heavens to this hour, that you receive our souls in peace, and among your saints and elect order us to be placed, with whom rejoice your glorious Martyrs, they are beheaded, for you are God alone and blessed forever and ever. And when they had completed the prayer, they said: Amen. Giving each other the kiss of peace, placing their knees, they received the sword, they received the everlasting crowns: and behold their blood like milk to those seeing appeared, and appears upon the rock which is next to the Stepped-waters even to the present day. At which time the Venerable ^o Zenus the Presbyter collecting the bodies of the most blessed martyrs, embalmed them with precious aromatics, and in a small marble place placed them, 31 May. next to Chrysogonus. They suffered the most blessed Martyrs of Christ Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla with their pedagogue [p] on the day before the Kal. of June, at the twelfth milestone from the city of Aquileia, across the river [q] Hysontius, in a place which is called Stepped-waters.

ANNOTATIONS.

p. To the same, on the day eighteenth of the Kalends of July, which day to others is said sacred to his translation.

q. To the ancients Sontius, in Geographical Maps Lisonio, where the parish of S. Cantianus is placed, as also another below toward the Tergestine bay.

ANALECTA.

Cantius, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Cantianilla, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

Protus, Martyr at Aquileia (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

§. I. Sacred Relics at Aquileia and Milan in Italy, at Stampes in Gaul, at Hildesheim in Germany.

[1] In the Acts now given Zenus the Presbyter, collecting the bodies of the most blessed Martyrs, Bodies first deposited at Aquileia, embalmed them with precious aromatics, and placed them in a small marble place. In the MS. codex of S. Maximinus, and in the best place he buried. In the MS. of Bödeken, with worthy veneration he buried. Petrus de Natalibus, by Zenus near the city itself were buried. How long they remained there is not clear. That still in the sixth century of Christ at Aquileia the veneration of the Saints flourished, is understood from the poem of Fortunatus on the Life of S. Martin: who at the end of the fourth book, in a Prosopopoeia to his little book, has these verses.

Hence proceed through the meadow lands of the Veneti through the level fields, Stretching indeed under the mountainous castles through the steep places, Or if perchance you shall approach the Aquileian city, You should greatly venerate the Cantians, friends of the Lord, And the blessed marble urn of Fortunatus.

S. Fortunatus with Felix, having suffered at Aquileia also under Diocletian, was inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the day XI of June. But whether in the same way the author of the poem Fortunatus wished, also that there should be preserved the bodies of the Cantian Martyrs, or only that the sacred memory should be celebrated, cannot be sufficiently distinguished from his words. Palladius de Olivis in book 8 of the Affairs of Friuli, of our this time, speaks thus. The bodies brought from Zeno the Priest to Aquileia, even to the present age, are magnificently venerated: indeed that the inhabitants testify them still to be there, will appear below. Meanwhile that they themselves are translated elsewhere others wish.

[2] They are said to be at Milan, And first Paulus Morigia of Milan, in book 1 on Milanese Nobility ch. 14, in the Sanctuary of the city and diocese of Milan p. 5, and in the History of the Domus or Cathedral Church of Milan ch. 11, asserts that in this are preserved the bodies of the Saints Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, brothers and Martyrs. Joseph Ripamontius, in the first decade of his Histories, of the Milanese Church book 2, describes on p. 115 the Martyrdom of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla: and then p. 116, these things he adds: The bodies translated to Milan, and in the Basilica of Dionysius placed, a later age translated them thence into the great temple, where with annual office of prayers they are venerated on the day before the Kalends of July (rather of June): and all the Ambrosian piety to the sacred Relics this honor pays. So there. We have a Milanese Missal, according to the institution of S. Ambrose printed in the year 1522, in which on the day XIV of June is prescribed the Mass of the Holy Cantian Martyrs, fol. 175; and is prefixed an effigy of four persons, namely of the three brothers and S. Protus the pedagogue, and this Prayer over the People is prescribed. Defend your people, Lord, with perpetual protection; nor without difficulty, what piously and justly it asks, may it obtain: to which the merits of your Saints the Cantians give support. Another over the Syndon is recited: God, who of your Saints the Cantians have made the palm of glorious contest to flourish; grant to us, we beseech, to overcome the strong temptations of our enemy: and what by our merits we do not presume, the cult there Ecclesiastical: of those very ones, whose birthdays we celebrate, let us be helped by their prayers to attain. The third over the Oblation is this: The gifts of your people, Lord, look upon benignly: which to your Majesty in the solemnities of your Saints the Cantians are dedicated. The last after Communion is read this: Invoking your name, Lord, we beseech, that as you our fathers, the virtue of your name going before, refreshed with Angelic food; us also, by the intercession of your blessed Martyrs the Cantians, with mystical feasts cherish and reform. So there, with which are conformable, those things which in the old Breviaries of Milan are prescribed, as are the first two Prayers now indicated; to which is added a compendium of the Acts of martyrdom distributed into three Lessons: and these reported in the Breviary, by command of S. Charles Borromeo issued, on the XXXI of May, these few are subjoined: Their Relics, translated to Milan, are deposited in the Metropolitan Basilica.

[3] whom however the Aquileians make doubtful, Ferrarius in the Catalogue of Saints of Italy, the Acts of martyrdom reported, expresses these things thus: Whose bodies embalmed by Christians, afterwards translated to Milan were. And then he annotates: Here truly is to be wondered, that the Milanese so confidently affirm themselves to have the bodies of these holy Martyrs, when the records of the Aquileian Church say they are preserved at Aquileia, and in that Church their Translation is celebrated. Perhaps to Milan not whole bodies, but some notable relics, which by synecdoche are called bodies, were brought. So Ferrarius, who raises the same doubt in the general Catalogue on the day XIV of June, on which he asserts, that the Translation of these Martyrs is celebrated at Milan: and adds that of them the Discovery is commemorated at Aquileia, on the day XXIV of April. The doubt raised by Ferrarius Ughellus increases more, in volume 4 of Italia Sacra, Bergamese and Veronese. asserting of Ludovico Donato Bishop of Bergamo, that in his time, in the year MCCCCLXVII on the last day of May, were found the bodies of the Holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla brothers, in the village of Seriate (this is closest to the city to the south-east) in the chapel of S. Chrysogonus: and by the Bishop himself, with the clergy and the people of Bergamo present, in an altar dedicated to their name they were placed. Before Ferrarius and Ughellus, also at Stampes in Gaul Augustinus Valerius Bishop of Verona had written, that the church of S. Mary in Organis at Verona, in the middle of the altar of the most holy body of Christ, displays a stone inscribed with this title: A receptacle of marble cut and overlaid with gold, where the most holy bones of Cantius, Cantianus, Cantianilla, Chrysogonus, Protus, and Anastasius lie, the Antistites of the temple set up to those adoring MCCCCXCVII. To these controversies is added another equally difficult. There is Stampes a city of Gauls in the Senones, and in present-day Beauce inserted, neighboring to the Isle of France and from Paris distant about twelve leagues, where toward Orleans the road goes, and by Gregory of Tours, Fredegarius, and other ancients mentioned: and that Robert King of the Franks built the monastery of S. Mary in the Stampian castle, and the church in the Palace, writes Helgaud the Monk of Fleury, in the Life of the said Robert in Du Chesne volume 4 of the History of the Frankish Writers p. 77. Others add, that the same King Robert obtained the sacred bodies of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, and deposited them in the said Stampian church of S. Mary. That Robert reigned from the year DCCCCLXXXXII to MXXXII. King Robert is said to have deposited the said bodies. Petrus Gandraeus described the Life, passion, translation and miracles of the same Martyrs in heroic verse and comprehended in four books, at Stampes a Patron of Causes, and arranged at Paris in the year MDCXIII to be published from the type of Juliotaeus. Another encomiast of these Martyrs is Joannes Chauvin, Royal Counsellor in the monetary Curia, who published the Elogia of these Martyrs, and again caused them to be reprinted in the year MDCLXX, by the type of Vitre, and so to the reprints, again added new Observations, with a second class of six new Letters, of which the third is inscribed to me, and pursues the praises of my Master Joannes Bollandus then deceased, calling him a spiritual Atlas. From these two authors we subjoin certain things, which the same assert to have received from the Stampian archives themselves.

[4] But the virtues of miracles at these sacred bodies so much shone forth and gleamed, and they are venerated in the Senonian Church. that all the cities placed round about assumed their veneration. Of these in the Metropolitan Senonian Church and its diocese the feast of SS. Cantius, Cantianus and Cantianilla, is celebrated with the office of nine Lessons, of which three in the second Nocturn customarily recited are taken from the Life and Martyrology; but the last, from the impression of the year MDCXXV, is concluded with these words: Now indeed their precious clods are venerably venerated in the shrine of the Virgin Mary of the town of Stampes, partly in our Metropolitan Senonian Church: in which places, by their merits day by day the piety of God works mighty deeds. And so Nicolas Cardinal de Pelleve Archbishop of Sens, in the verbal Process about the Relics of his Cathedral church, which is in our possession, under the note of the year MDLXXI; Since, he says, of many, both Princes and Archbishops, by the work and pious labor, were brought here Relics of pious bodies, where it is believed a great part of them is: which heaped together and mixed did not respond to the pious vows of Christians; the venerable Antistes Galterus, in the year of the Lord MCCXLVIIII, the glorious pledges of the Saints Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, of S. Macarius Abbot, and of SS. Felix and Felicissimus, in individual cases to be deposited took care. Then narrating, also at Paris. how the same and other Relics there he visited, distinguished by twelve cases, and what each contains explaining; In the seventh, he says, and eighth were found the relics of the bodies of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, with the Relics of Heraclius and Paul Confessors and Pontiffs of the Senonian Church: and because in both cases the same titles were found, lest in distinguishing any error creep in, we have judged that the same should be retained. But all these twelve cases stand upon the major altar, just as the index sent to us has it: which also without ambiguity asserts, that of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla the bodies, almost whole, are contained in their case: which I think to be too much: for the new Breviary which Chauvin on p. 92 alleges, only says: From which bodies were extracted afterwards certain notable bones, which the Senonian church preserves and honors, in a case behind the major altar elevated: whether distinct from the two aforesaid and new, or one with the two before mentioned, I could hardly say.

[5] In the Parisian Church and its diocese thus at the end of the third Lesson it is said: and elsewhere in Gaul Whose bodies Zoilus the Presbyter buried at Aquileia, on the day before the Kalends of June, and the same the most Christian King of the Franks Robert is said to have translated to Stampes to the church of B. Mary. In the Meaux Church is read: to the Church of B. Mary he translated. The like things are had in the Breviaries of Orleans, Beauvais, Chartres, and others: and this Prayer is prescribed. God invisible strength of those contending, be present we pray to us supplicating, that those who on the present day of your holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla recall the glorious triumph, by their merits and prayers, may merit to be present at the perpetual feasts of the Angels. Andreas Saussajus besides those things, which of these Martyrs on this day XXXI of May in his Gallican Martyrology he has, attempts in the Supplement of this, on the day XIV of June, Were they translated thither from Milan? to reconcile the opinions of all in this manner: On the same day the translation of the bodies of the Holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, when from Aquileia (where, after they were slain for the faith at the Stepped-waters, by Zoilus the Presbyter they had been buried) to Milan their sacred pledges were transported, thence by the pious vows of Robert King of the Franks the most Christian into the Gauls were brought, at Stampes by him in the church of S. Mary with religious cult deposited they are. The Aquileian Church venerates their discovery on the day XXIV of April: and with their pledges, several still also, glories, about which with pious emulation with it contends the Milanese Church.

[6] To this controversy is added the Hildesheim Church, in lower Saxony: At Hildesheim notable Relics, before the year 1450 I know not how long, whose Canon, Christianus Theodorus de Plettenberg, of the Most Serene Bishop of Paderborn and Münster Ferdinand Furstenberg our Patron's nephew on his sister's side, thus wrote to us: When and through whom the Relics of these Saints have been translated here, is altogether unknown to me; nor do I think it can be easily found here who teaches it: for the various tempest, which more than for one hundred years, until the Peace of Münster was constituted, shook this Diocese, most monuments of antiquity either altogether destroyed or transferred elsewhere. Meanwhile from the Life of S. Godehard, given by you on IV May *, it is clearly evident, that already in the age of Azelinus the Antistes, who in the year MXLIV, in the seventh after the death of S. Godehard, attaining the Episcopate, held it for ten years, the Relics of those Saints were preserved in our Cathedral. Indeed also the Constitution of Bishop Hezelo, who succeeded Azelinus, by which he reduced the number of Canons hitherto uncertain to fifty-two, and the annual revenues of the Prebends with notable munificence increased, with a triple feast. among the other principal feasts of the Church, expressly mentions the Vigil of the Holy Cantians, also their Festivity: on which days, while still the use of common refectory remained, he wished a more abundant table to be exhibited to the Canons: and today in our archive remains the autograph of that Constitution. Otherwise just as the Life of S. Godehard, in the place now cited, refers the Coming of the aforesaid Relics to the Kalends of April, on which the miracle there happened commemorated, at the tomb of that Saint; so also our Breviary, printed at Leipzig in the year 1516, notes the same Coming on the same day, although the Feast itself on XXXI May under the rite of Double with us is celebrated. The same holy Martyrs also, in the feast of the Patrons of our Church, which under the rite of Double of the first class is annually performed on the Sunday III after Easter, in Lesson VI among the Compatrons are numbered.

[7] These are in various cases, The Relics themselves through diverse shrines dispersed now are. For when in the year MDCLVII, on XXIX of May, the Most Serene Maximilian Henry, Elector of Cologne and our Bishop, the Cathedral church according to his office's reason was visiting; the silver tomb opening, in which the body of S. Epiphanius and the sacred relics of the SS. Cantians were deposited, only a part of the same he found: which lest similarly it could be dispersed, he wished the tomb itself to be more tightly closed: which was so done, that without the highest difficulty and the breaking of the very vessel it can no longer be opened. But in the tower, covered with silver plates, which the ancients called the Tower of the Patrons, because the notable Relics of the same were deposited there; notable parts of the Holy Cantian Martyrs, and especially of S. Cantianilla are found: and in the Reliquary, which in the Processions is carried by the Subdeacon, are seen notable Relics also of S. Cantius the Martyr, as also in other shrines other lesser ones with the same title. The head of S. Cantius, enclosed in a silver reliquary, is preserved in our Hildesheim sanctuary, and at certain festivities is exposed to the public devotion of the faithful.

I also in former years another head found, inscribed, Head of the holy Cantians, when by command of my Most Reverend Chapter these sacred treasures I was investigating, and reducing into a Catalogue. So far the Most Reverend Canon and most fond of our work; to which nothing can seem to be added, provided you understand the body of S. Epiphanius, enclosed within the same tomb, is of the Bishop of Pavia, reported by us on XXI January, where see the History of the translation made in the year DCCCCLXIII. Furthermore, with so many and so various Churches contending over the possession of these Saints' Bodies, no wonder is it, if many other Churches in Italy, Gaul, Germany received the cult of the same Saints, with greater or lesser festivity to be performed, of all which the Breviaries and Calendars to enumerate would be long. Indeed even into Poland penetrated that religion, where the feast of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla Martyrs under the rite of double major is celebrated in the diocese of Wratislaw, and in the Order of Crucigers with the red star, and a proper Prayer is assigned: but what cause this veneration is, is not added. It is easier to say, why at Venice also their cult is celebrated; since there is held a proper church under the name of S. Cantianus.

* no. 58.

§. II. Miracles wrought at Stampes after the Translation of the year 1249.

[8] Let us return to the Stampian church: where the sacred bones, enclosed in a chest, were in veneration, by the Priests, After rain having been obtained, the Senate, and the Stampian people, and twice yearly in public procession were carried, namely on Tuesday of Easter and on this XXXI of May, the day of their birth. It happened meanwhile, that with rains denied from heaven a great drought around the Stampian regions had arisen, and thence a wretched famine was feared. Recourse was had to the mercy of Divine goodness: the intercession of the Holy Martyrs was applied: a Supplication was instituted with the Relics of these Martyrs from the town to a church not far distant or a chapel dedicated to S. Lazarus. While this pious devotion was being exercised, clouds with the joy of the supplicants were gathered in the air, the wooden chest remains immobile, about to give copious rains in due time. But behold when, with the litaneutic prayers now performed in the said chapel, the pious supplication had to be brought back to the principal church of the Mother of God the Virgin, there the reliquary of the Martyrs

— from its seat to be moved And torn cannot: the chest remains an immobile weight, As a thick rock fixed in the bowels of the earth.

All are stunned, and humble pour out prayers to God. Among these a Priest, noted for singular doctrine and sanctity, among many admonitions said this: Let us offer to the Saints in place of the cheap wooden chest another to be made of silver, that henceforth in a more honorable manner they may be represented to the eyes of all, in our church; and we shall see if they wish to be carried back to it.

He said, and forthwith on bended knees the pious assembly The Priest's useful counsel approves with frequent applause. When this vow with flaming heart is consecrated, The burden becomes, as before, light; with sorrow set aside until it be vowed and made of silver The Stampes-dwellers joyful to those above sing new songs. Bringing back the holy pledges of the Divine Brothers, As Tutelars they brought to the chapel of the Virgin.

[9] Soon were collected pious alms, whence a most noble chest was made of silver, and on every side with figured borders gilded. That the translation might be made, was indicted the day IV of August, of the year MCCXLIX, and was invited the Archbishop of Sens Gilo or Aegidius Cornatus, by whom the bodies of the Holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla at Stampes were translated, by which in 1249 the sacred bones, as indicate among the Archbishops of Sens Claudius Robertus and Sammarthani. Others add, that Gilo, on account of some hallucination about the truth of the Relics, was punished with a certain blindness, so that not even in the open chest could he see any bones, but instructed of the history of the whole matter done, his guilt he himself accused,

Soon prayer sent forth, drenched with arising tears, He explains the bundles inscribed with the names Of the Divine Brothers, and the sacred limbs to the men standing by not without miracle are translated. Shows, and into the chest recently constructed transmits; Which the Antistes had previously dedicated by ancient triple custom To the Brothers. Cantius however his arm He receives, and of the chaste and holy Sister the chin.

So the Stampes-dwellers, while meanwhile the Senonians believe, that the better part of the sacred bodies is with them, with no great certainty, as above we have seen.

[10] After that translation of the sacred bones, increased was the devotion toward these Martyrs, Grave injuries of the foot are cured, and by God honored with various miracles. Two leagues from the Stampian town toward Paris is Strichiacum, commonly Estrechy a village, in whose vicinity was an oratory or little chapel erected to these Martyrs: to whom that any reverence be there shown not bearing, a peasant, returning from the wood with a donkey loaded with cut woods, before the said little chapel, with the axe slipped from his hands cut his foot with a grave wound: whence collapsed lifeless, gradually with spirit recovered he laments his guilt, invokes the Saints, is seized by sleep, and plainly healthy by the Saints' patronage rises, only with traces of the received wound left. The miracle being known by the neighbors, are given to God and the Saints due thanks, and the same are renewed yearly. There lived at Stampes in the street of S. James, otherwise called Major, hardened contraction from birth. a certain pious woman, Maria Aupie named, who from the temple about to return home, met a poor boy, miserably contracted, and dragging his limbs after the manner of a tortoise along the ground. She takes care therefore that he be brought to her house, and so languishing in the space of seven years cherishes him. But on a certain Sunday following her going out to the temple, after his manner crawling along the ground, the wretched contracted one; and from excessive confidence in the Holy Martyrs, having consoled the matron, lest she be crushed, fearing, beginning to descend through the steps of the church, between the hands of those holding him under the armpits,

Forthwith with dire shouts the sacred halls He fills: indeed his sluggish muscles and sinews Are stretched, and in marvelous ways suddenly relaxed Bones are restored, and placed in their proper seats. And the youth suddenly advanced into the midst of the throng, The hidden causes of so great a shout, and what Was done in him in few words narrates the marvelous Prodigy, and pious songs sings with grateful mouth.

[11] The Saints appear with the Mother of God, Another marvel happened to Sulpitia a Stampian most pious matron, who either to tending the lamps in the temple or to prayer gave her work, or to the sick who lay under the cover of the temple attentively served. On a certain night to her thus there praying stood the Mother of God Virgin, with these Cantian brothers, and together visited the sick, to one of whom she predicted a happy approach to the heavens after three days, to others gave health. Which so came to pass. A certain youth wholly filled with pustules, a dead one is raised for baptism, was by his mother to the Holy Cantians not without pious tears commended, and soon obtained his pristine health, retaining only the memory of so great an evil. In the village of Alliacum of the Chartres territory, a certain woman bore a daughter dead, and took care to bury her. But divinely inspired, on the following day having received the daughter from the sepulchre, she carried her to Stampes to the chest of the Holy Martyrs, where she received life, and with sacred baptism was also regenerated, in the year MDXIII in the sight of very many men, scab is cleansed who by their testimonies confirmed the deed. Another miracle was wrought in the time of Henry II, when on Tuesday of Easter in public procession was carried the chest of SS. Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla. There was present a youth, from his very birth deaf and dumb, and then twenty years old: to whom near the chapel of S. Michael.

Forthwith the bonds of the mute tongue are loosed, And to the speechless mute are given vocal gifts.

[12] and in 1638 a paralytic. And these things from the more prolix poem of Petrus Gandraeus let it be enough to have plucked; meanwhile until the old context of the same miracles, which we vehemently desire, someone shall transmit to us. Now from the Elogia, by Counsellor Chauvin published, I add a more recent one; for which faith the Author about to make, in a special instruction to us, alleges a relation printed at Paris in that very year or the following; and several worthy witnesses, who related it to him, and among others Lord de Lescomay, Advocate in the Parliament, a man of great judgment and study. The matter happened thus. A certain girl from S. Memmius's village, had not yet attained the sixth year of age, called Jacquetta Chapé, and already was inclining to the end of life, wholly weak and paralytic, almost from her very birth. In vain a certain surgeon from the town of S. Arnold had undertaken to cure her: indeed even Parisian physicians consulted over her, despaired of finding a remedy by themselves for so great an evil. Therefore to superhuman aid is converted Cornelia the mother of the girl, and in the year MDCXXXVIII on the day VI of April coming with her daughter to Stampes, she having clothed her in white garments, in the procession which was led had her likewise carried around. With this done the wretched one began to feel better, and brought home, soon all other appeared, walking by her own feet without impediment: then indeed day by day more and more strengthened, within the space of one month, most fully was well for all the functions of human life and her age congruous.

§. III. On the new inspection and translation of the sacred Relics, made at Stampes in the years 1620 and 21.

[13] In that chest, which we have seen made of silver in the year MCCXLIX, remained unmoved the Relics of the Saints for CCCLXXI years, The Stampes-dwellers about to repair the silver chest which having passed what was done the aforementioned Chauvin accurately pursues, in the new Observations on the history, after the Elogia printed; whose words it will not be tiresome to render from French into Latin thus: In the year MDCXX it was decreed to repair the silver chest of the Saints; and to that end recourse was had to the Most Illustrious and Reverend Joannes David, Archbishop of Sens; who that it might be opened, permitted to public piety; entrusting it to be done to Guido de Verambrois, Master in Arts made at Paris, and Dean of Christianity, and Curate of S. Martin of Stampes. The Commission, signed on I July, was followed by a decree of the Chapter given XVI of the same. Therefore on day XXX of the said month of July, was instituted of the whole general Clergy a procession, accompanying the Officials of the town and the citizens and dwellers in great number, to whom a panegyric on the Martyrs P. Drupianus the Capuchin pronounced. on 30 June they indict a general procession The pomp returned to the church, Mag. William Chasse-cuillier, Cantor and Canon of the Mother of God the Virgin, celebrated Mass; with assisting him, as Deacon and Subdeacon, Mag. Stephen Beauvoix Primicerius Curate of the same church, and Peter Godin Sacellan.

[14] Before the same, with Mass finished, Mag. Andreas Gilles and Gedeon Pans, Canons of the Mother of God the Virgin, together with Mag. de Verambrois, ascended to the place where the Relics rest above four columns elevated, where also present were Masters, Nicolas Thiroüin, Joannes Veron Cantor and Canon of the Holy Cross, Damianus Doucet Curate of S. Aegidius, and Petrus le Roy Curate of S. Peter; Domnus Michael Gaguin, Claustral Prior of the Abbey of Moriniacum; Fathers, Seraphinus le Bourgeois, Minister of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of captives; then before many witnesses, Desiderius Parisot, S. T. D. Guardian of the Franciscans; Petrus Audiger, S. T. B. of the same Order; Raphael de Rouate, Guardian of the Capuchins, of the same Order preacher. There also were found to be present the Officials of the Bailliage and Provostship which from Election has its name, the Mayor and Echevins of Stampes, Provisors and Custodians of the Mother of God the Virgin, and innumerable others, led by the same zeal. After therefore the silken veils white and red, destined for receiving the sacred Relics, with the customary rite were consecrated and incensed, together with a small oaken case, into which they should be deposited; the silver chest was opened, as well as the wooden very ancient one which within was enclosed, and within this were found the Relics, with Latin inscriptions, of which one sounds thus: Here are contained the Relics of the Holy Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla &c. Another: Here rest the Relics from the bones of the Holy Martyrs, Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, Brothers. In the same old wooden chest also, was found a purse of diverse colored silk, and within it three iron fragments, from that perhaps with which death to the Holy Martyrs was inflicted. the same opened the Relics are taken out. Also appeared cloths, with red color tinged, traces perhaps of shed blood: and finally in a certain part marked was seen the likeness of a Bishop holding a crozier, with these words, Gilo by the grace of God Archbishop of Sens; and beside him S. Stephen Protomartyr, Titular of the Senonian Metropolitan.

[15] After these, by the industry of artisans, repaired, where need was, new splendor was added to the silver chest: [the work within nine months completed, what was done, the verbal Relation, as they call it, will tell, by him who performed the Translation, in this manner authentically consigned. In the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred twentieth first, on the day before the Ides of April, on the second feria of Easter, with Gregory the fifteenth seated as Supreme Pontiff, Joannes David Archbishop of Sens, Louis the thirteenth King of the Franks and of Navarre; We, Henricus Clausse, Bishop of Aurensis, and also Coadjutor of Châlons, and successor designate, indict and attest, with faculty given by the same Most Reverend Senonian Archbishop, the very ancient and revered Relics of the divine Martyrs Cantius, Cantianus, and Cantianilla, into a feretory, whose long antiquity had dimmed the golden splendor, with great expenses to its splendor restored, polished, and with many silver plates augmented, and into a new chest (because the other was almost eaten away by decay and was perishing) by accustomed rites and ceremony, with a sermon previously held to the frequent people by Brother Gabriel of Saint-Lô, Capuchin Preacher, by our hand, with great frequency observing, deposited in the chapel of Blessed Mary, in the same with new ornament splendid deposited, where they are wont piously to be venerated and preserved. But on the following day in the appointed and solemn supplication, with promulgated forty days of Indulgences, which the same Lord Archbishop conceded, and ordered to have eternal force, with great apparatus we accompanied around the city the same holy Relics, with a huge multitude of Stampian citizens, and the people from every side flowing to the celebrity. Which all that faith may be greater, for the perpetual memory of the matter, with these letters by our own hand we have subscribed, with present notable men, and on 13 April carried around. both Clerics and seculars, Reverend Fathers and Lord Andreas Berzeau, Abbot of Morigniacum and in the supreme Senate Counsellor: with venerable men Masters Guilielmus Chassecuilier Cantor and Canon, Andreas Gilles, Ludovicus Bastard, Nicolaus Thirovyn, Aegidius Barrault, of the aforesaid church Canons, Stephen Beauvoix Capicerius Curate, and many other of the same church Chaplains: Reverend FF. PP. Joannes Pave Doctor of Theology Franciscan; Raphael of Rouen Guardian of the Stampian Capuchins; a public instrument made about the matter. Noble and famous men Jacobus Petau of the Stampian province Praeses, Nicolaus Couste Vice-Praeses, Guido David Assessor, Michael Egal Praetor, Claudius Prevost Vice-Praetor, Simon Chauvin, and Isaac Blanchard, Royal Advocate and Procurator, Petrus le Gendre Mayor, Petrus de Jambon, Isaac Guysenet, Joannes Aleaume, and Michael Gillet, Echevins; Petrus Baron, Doctor of medicine; Joannes Albert Licentiate of both Laws, Moderator of the Stampian College; Clemens Poisson, Royal Elect; Jacobus Guysenet, Claudius Guetard, Renatus le Sueur, Natalis Maugin, and Stephen Rivet, of the said church of Blessed Mary Custodians, and many other witnesses admitted to the matter. Given at Stampes in the said church of Blessed Mary, under our seals and the Chapter's, in the year and day above said. Signed Henricus Bishop of Aurensis, and also Coadjutor of the Cathedral Church of Châlons.

[16] From the aforesaid and from the smallness of the chest destined to receive the Relics aforesaid, it sufficiently appears that only a small part of each of the three bodies is held at Stampes: which more certainly we could have learned, if it had pleased the authors of the said Translation to enumerate one by one the bones within. To increase then in the people the veneration of the aforesaid Holy Martyrs, In 1644, Indulgences granted to the instituted Sodality. was instituted also by Archiepiscopal authority a Sodality of both sexes of the Faithful: whose zeal that it might be kindled in exercising the offices proper to themselves of religion and charity, Pope Urban VIII, by a Brief given in the year MDCXLIV on the day VII of June, to the same Confraternity by him approved granted various Indulgences; and plenary indeed to those, who confessed and with sacred Communion refreshed, give their names into it, on the very day on which they shall do this; then in individual years, after the sacraments received, on the principal feast of the Sodality, visiting its oratory, and there praying to the customary intentions of the Pontiff; and also on other four days, to be commonly elected for devotion and approved by the Ordinary: but indulgences of sixty days are granted to all, who at any works of piety and charity prescribed to them assemble, &c. To all these in the year MDCXLV, on the XIV of February the force of ordinary his power adding Octavius, Archbishop of Sens; he approved the four days elected by the Confraternity, The Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord; The Tuesday of Easter; the IV of August, memorable for the translation of the holy Martyrs; and the first Sunday of October, festive by the Dedication of the church of the Mother of God the Virgin.

[15] Furthermore the Tuesday of Easter is by the Stampes-dwellers passed with special religion, Principal feast on Tuesday of Easter. because on such day they believe were brought to them the Relics of the often-named Saints. There is instituted indeed a general Procession, says Chauvin, which both Orders of S. Francis begin, with exemplary modesty; these are followed by the Parishes collected from diverse places, and of both Chapters of the Mother of God the Virgin and of the Holy Cross the Canons, these the left, those the right side holding; but the chest is surrounded by an immense number of burning torches. After this is also carried another reliquary, called of S. Matthew, and another, of S. John Chrysostom: the Officiant bears a silver Cross, wrought by excellent work. The pomp is augmented by a sculpted image of the Mother of God, in which is enclosed a particle of her vestments, the memorable gift of Louis Count of Évreux of Stampes; who also by a noble foundation left his affection testified to the Stampes-dwellers; nor are lacking those who in humble dress and bare feet surround the chest accompanying. On the Birthday of the Saints, XXXI of March, another procession is led, in which only is carried around the chest, which they call the Smaller, another lesser on 31 March. containing the garments of the same Martyrs; those, I believe, the cloths, which in the recent Translation were found bloodstained; and is sung a Mass, from the foundation of Rochus Colleau, born at Stampes, but at Orleans, at S. Anianus a Canon, recently deceased. Nor must we be silent of the year MDCLXVI, when to Stampes coming of special nobility two women, Lady Duchess of Vendôme, mother of the Cardinal so named; and Lady Aumale, afterwards Queen of Lusitania; both chests deposited in the middle of the church were, and to their and innumerable, who had flowed in, people, sight presented.