Chapter XLVII

Of the holy brother unto whom appeared the Mother of Christ, what time he was sick, bringing him three boxes of electuary

In the above-mentioned House of Soffiano there was in former times a Brother Minor of so great sanctity and grace that he seemed altogether divine, and oftentimes was rapt in God. Once on a time this brother being wholly absorbed in God and lifted up, for he had in notable fashion the grace of contemplation, there came unto him birds of divers kinds, and settled, as they were tame, on his shoulders and on his head, and on his arms and his hands, and sang right marvellously. He loved to be alone and spake but seldom; but when he was questioned touching any matter, he would answer so wisely and so graciously that he seemed rather an angel than a man; and he abounded much in prayer and contemplation; and the brothers held him in high reverence. This brother having finished the course of his virtuous life, according to God's ordinance, fell sick unto death, so àniìi'. clamato d.-,tcn,ici,clTiTu,l likOIIIFR I,iX) KXKKI.INC; l'.Kl'OKK S. IKANCIS IN {After Cotiex I.aure>iziano Gnddìatio exit: cf ”rc/nce, p. vii) that he could take no food at all; and therewithal would take no carnal medicine, but all his trust was in the heavenly physician, Jesu Christ, the blessed One, and in His blessed Mother; by whom through the divine clemency he merited to be mercifully visited and tended. Wherefore on a time as he was lying on his bed and preparing himself for death with all his heart and with utter devotion, there appeared unto him the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, with a very great company of Angels and of holy Virgins, in marvellous splendour, and drew nigh unto his bed; whereat, gazing upon her, he took great comfort and joy, both in soul and body; and began to beseech her humbly that she would pray her dear Son that of His merits He would take him out of the prison of this miserable flesh. And as he continued in this prayer with many tears, the Virgin Mary answered him, calling him by his name, and said: " Be not doubting, my son, for thy prayer is heard, and I am come to comfort thee a little, ere thou depart from out this life." Now there were beside the Virgin Mary three holy Virgins, that carried in their hands three boxes of electuary of surpassing fragrance and sweetness. Then the glorious Virgin took and opened one of these boxes, and all the house was filled with sweet odours; and taking of this electuary with a spoon, she gave unto the sick man: the which, so soon as he had tasted, felt such comfort and such sweetness, that it seemed as though his soul could stay within his body no longer; wherefore he began to say: '* No more, O most holy and blessed Virgin Mother, O blessed physician and saviour of human kind, no more; for I cannot endure such sweetness." But the kind and pitying Mother gave of this electuary unto the sick man many times and made him to take it, until all the box was emptied. Then when the first box was empty, the blessed Virgin took the second, and put the spoon therein for to give it him; whereat he murmured, saying: " O most blessed Mother of God, my soul is well-nigh all melted away through the ardour and the sweetness of the first electuary: then how may I endure the second? I pray thee, blessed above all saints and angels, that thou seek not to give me more." Replied the glorious Virgin Mary: ” Taste, my son, yet a little of this second box." And giving him a little thereof, she said: '* To-day, my son, thou hast as much as is sufficient for thee; be comforted, my son, for soon shall I come for thee and take thee to the kingdom of my Son, the which thou hast ever sought and desired; " and this said, she took leave of him and was away; and he remained so consoled and comforted through the sweetness of this confection that, being stayed therewith, he lived many days more, well satisfied and strong, without any food for the body. And after some days, while speaking joyfully with the brothers, with great gladness and delight he passed away from this miserable life.