Chapter XLII

Of the fair miracles that God wrought by the hands of the holy brothers, Brother Bentivoglia, Brother Peter of Monticello, and Brother Conrad of Offida

Of the fair miracles that God wrought by the hands of the holy brothers, Brother Bentivoglia, Brother Peter of Monticello y and Brother Conrad of Offida: and how Brother Bentivoglia carried a leper fifteen miles in a very brief space; and how S, Michael spake unto the other, and the Virgin Mary came unto the third and laid her Son in his arms

The Province of the March of Ancona was in olden time adorned, even as the sky with stars, with brothers that were patterns of holy life; the which, like shining lights of heaven, have illumined and acorned the Order of S. Francis and the world with ensampies and with doctrine. Among the rest, there was first of all Brother Lucido Antico, who was in very sooth resplendent with sanctity and burning with charity divine; whose glorious tongue, taught of the Holy Spirit, brought forth marvellous fruit in preaching. Another was Brother Bentivoglia of San Severino, the which was seen by Brother Masseo to be lifted up in the air for a great space, whilst he was at prayer in the wood; through the which miracle the devout Brother Masseo, being the.i a parish priest, left his cure and became a Brother Minor; and he was of so great sanctity that he wrought many miracles, both when alive and dead, and his body rests at Murro. The aforesaid Brother Bentivoglia, while abiding on a time at Trave Bonanti alone, for to care for and serve a leper, was bidden by his superior to depart thence and go to another place that was fifteen miles off I20 THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF not willing to abandon the leper, with great fervour of charity he took him up and set him on his shoulder, and carried him from dawn even unto sun-rise all that road of fifteen miles, to the place whither he had been sent, that was called Monte Sancino: the which journey, had he been an eagle, he could not have flown in so short a time: and in all that country round there was great marvel and amazement at so divine a miracle. Another was Brother Peter of Monticello, the which was seen by Brother Servodio of Urbino (he being then guardian in the old House of Ancona) lifted bodily off the ground five or six cubits, even to the feet of the Crucifix of the church, in front of which he was at prayer. And this Brother Peter, while fasting on a time with great devotion during the forty days” fast of S. Michael the Archangel, and being at prayer in the church on the last day of this fast, was heard by a young brother (who of set purpose lay hidden under the high altar for to see some token of his sanctity) speaking with S. Michael the Archangel; and the words that he saia, were these: Quoth S. Michael: " Brother Peter, thou hast toiled so faithfully for me, and in many ways hast afflicted thy body: lo! now am I come to comfort thee, and to the intent that thou mayest ask what grace soever thou wilt, and I wiL get it thee from God." Replied Brother Peter: ” Most holy Prince of the celestial host, and faithful zealot of love divine, and pitying protector of souls, I ask this grace of thee that thou obtain from God the pardon of my sins.” Replied S. Michael:,” Ask some other grace of me, for this grace shall I win for thee right easily; ” but Brother Peter asking for nothing more, the Archangel concluded thus: " For the faith and devotion that thou hast to me, I will obtain for thee this grace thou askest for, and many more besides." And done their parley, the which lasted for a long space, the Archangel S. Michael was away, leaving him comforted exceedingly. In the days of this holy Brother Peter, there lived also the holy Brother Conrad of Offida; while they dwelt together in the same House of Forano, in the Custody of Ancona, the said Brother Conrad went one day into the wood to meditate on God, and Brother Peter followed him by stealth, for to see what might befall him; and Brother Conrad began to pray, most devoutly beseeching the Virgin Mary with great piety to beg of her blessed Son this grace, that he might feel a little of that sweetness that S. Simeon felt on the day of the Purification, when he held in his arms the blessed Saviour Jesu. And when he had made this prayer, the Virgin Mary of her pity heard him; and behold! there appeared unto him the Queen of heaven with her blessed Son in her arms, with a great light exceeding bright, and coming near unto Brother Conrad, she laid in his arms her blessed Son: who taking Him with great devotion, embracing and kissing Him and pressing Him to his breast, was melted altogether and dissolved in love divine and consolation unspeakable. And in like manner Brother Peter, who from his hidingplace saw all that befell, felt in his soul exceeding sweetness and consolation. And when the Virgin Mary had departed from Brother Conrad, Brother

Peter gat him back in haste to the house, that he might not be seen of him: but thereafter, when Brother Conrad returned all joyful and glad. Brother Peter said unto him: "O what heavenly great consolation hast thou had this day! " Quoth Brother Conrad: '* What is this that thou sayest. Brother Peter? and what dost thou know of that which I have had? " '* I know full well, I know," said Brother Peter, " how the Virgin Mary with her blessed Son hath visited thee” Then Brother Conrad, who being truly humble desired to keep secret the favours of God, besought him that he would tell it unto no one; and from that time forth so great was the love between these twain, that they seemed to have but one heart and soul in all things. And on a time in the House of Siruolo, the said Brother Conrad set free by his prayers a woman that was possessed of a devil, praying for her a whole night through, and being seen by her mother, in the morning fled away, to the intent that he might not be found and honoured by the people.