There can be no doubt, but this catalogue could be
extended
very considera- bly, by obtaining access to various sources and depositories of information, which must have multiplied in Holland, Belgium, France, and Germany, within the last two hundred years.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Suchwashisfrenziedstateofmind,that the attendants found it necessary to bind him, and to open his mouth forci- bly, so that an ablution might be poured into it.
When this man had spent eleven days in the infirmary, he was fully restored to health, and offering a thanksgiving to God, he returned home, with the greatest feeling of joy and
gratitude. '"^
Elizabeth Betens, a native of Rozenda city,'°7 and twenty-four years of
age, having suffered from illness during five months, lost the use of her me- mory and intellect. She was then brought to Gheel, and she lay in St. Dympna's infirmary, for the term of nine days. After the usual ceremonies had been performed, by Gasper Claes, the dean, through the intercession of St. Dympna, this woman was freed from all her miseries, and she entirely recovered the powers of her memory and intellect. The bandages which tied her were removed. Having made her confession and received holy commuion, on the 22nd of September, a. d. 1653, she returned to her own country. ^°^
'°* The foregoing narrative is substan- tiated, as evidence, bearing Dean Vercuy- len's signature in corroboration.
"' A city of Noith Brabant,
'°^ Witnesses of her disease and recovery, Francis Raymakers and Elizabeth Verhoe- '°5 Testimony to this effect was given ven, in whose house she lodged, EHzabeth
over his own and the signature of two wit- nesses.
'°* Dean Vercuylea subscribed a testi- mony, in support of the foregoing state- ment.
Betens herself, and four other persons, hav- ing duly affixed their signatures, in testi- mony to the truthfulness of all these parti- culars.
'°9 As a testimony of the foregoing ac-
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Francis Huiberts, a villager of Gerven, and about twenty-six years old, became mute, lame, and frantic, owing to some disease. He was brought in a calash to St. Dympna's church, the circuit of which he made three different times,whileheldinhisplace,bythreemen. Afterwards,hewasleftinthe infirmary. For nine days, commencing from the 5th day of August, a. d. 1652, he was exorcised with the usual ceremonies. But, not having then recovered, he was brought to the residence of Caspar Verdonk, in the deaconate. Thence, he was conducted to the church, so that the usual ceremonies might be per- formed. Infine,havingremainedinGheelforthespaceofthreemonths,onthe
loth of December, he suddenly recovered the exercise of liis mental powers, and the use of his limbs, to the wonder of all who were present. On the fol- lowing day, he felt even improved in health. '°y
Adrian Luiten, a native of Nederwyck village, came to Gheel on the 14th of April, A. D. 1653, affected with sucli excitement and madness, that he could scarcely be kept in his bed, from which he constantly made efforts to escape. He could neither eat, drink, nor sleep. When this man had remained there for ten days, pouring forth tears and lamentations, he obtained quietude and a restoration to health, through St. Dympna's intercession. ""
Helena Smits, a native of Selim, beyond Diest, having been attacked with illness, came to Gheel, on the 14th of September, a. d. 1653. She remained in the hospital of St. Dympna, for ten or twelve days, and through the inter- cession of the holy patroness, this woman was healed. Having confessed her sins and received holy communion, she gave thanks to God and returned to herhome. "' Onthe8thofOctober,duringthesameyear,LudwigVerryl,
forty-six years old, from the village of Meerbeeck, near Mechlin, was seized with an intolerable frenzy and raving. He was bound with iron chains in a wagon and brought to Gheel, while his outcries and wailings moved the com- passion of all who heard him. Having been taken from the vehicle, and brought into the house of Amand Broeckhoven, he was placed beside the fire, and after an hour's rest, all his insanity disappeared. His perfect restoration to health, he attributed to the Divine clemency, and to the prayers of St. Dympna. Thispatientremained,forninedays,observingalltheusualcere- monies and pious exercises. Having made his confession and receiving holy communion, Ludwig Verryl was enrolled in the Confraternity of St. Dympna. '"
Maria Wils, about thirty years old, was brought through some cause, to a
state of childish simplicity and imbecility, in the city of Diest.
neither pray nor sleep. Then, it was found necessary to have her conveyed to St. Dympna's shrine. After the usual solemnities were employed for a month, this person recovered the perfect use of her mind and memory. With a good understanding, she made a confession, and received holy communion. Having given thanks to God, she returned to Diest, making attestation of the miracle wrought in her favour. "^ Helena Briers, about twenty-eight years of age,wasseizedwithahorriblefrenzyatWesemal. Havingentirelylostthe use of her reason, she was bound hand and foot, brought to the city of Gheel,
count, we find the signatures of Francis Hui- berts, of Peter \'ercuylen, dean, of Gaspar Verdonck, and of two other witnesses, affixed to a deposition, which was signed on the 20th of December.
"° In testimony of which Peter Luiten, the father of this young man, and PelerVer- cuylen, dean, appcml their respective signa- tures.
'"This miraculous cure was attested by
She could
Dean Vercuylen.
"'Hisownsignature, tliat ofHerrVer-
cuylen, dean, and the signatures of other persons, arc found appended to a deposition, dated the 17th of October.
"^ Her husband, Matthew van Rappel, and Dean Vercuylen. signed this instru- ment, which is dated loth of November, A. D. 1653.
"* Dean Vercuylen and others subscribed
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
347
on the 3rd of December, a. d. 1653, ^nd placed there, in the hospital of St. Dympna. The usual ceremonies having been applied, for a length of eighteen days, this woman was liberated from her frenzied condition, and she fully recovered her health. She then approached the sacraments of penance and of holy communion. "4
Pereina Peters, from the village of Zundert, near Breda, "s was attacked with insanity, and she lost all use of her reason. She was bound hand and foot, when brought on a vehicle to St. Dympna's shrine, at Gheel, on the iSth of June, 1657. She lodged at the house of John Brugelmans, in that city. For fourteen days, exorcisms were tried, when at the end of that time, she was released from her malady. She received holy communion and visited the churchwithotherCatholics. "^ Inlikemanner,CorneliusAndries,afrenzied, furious madman, and quite irrp,tional in his conversation, was brought to Gheel, tied hand and foot, from Willaer village, on the 20th of May, a. d. 1659. He was placed in St. Dympna's Hospital, and after the usual exor-
cisms and rites had been practised, for nine days, through the intercession of the holy patroness, this man recovered his former health. He confessed, communicated, and served the priest's mass, giving grateful praise to the Supreme Dispenser of all bounty. "7
Barbara Mangelers, wife of John Balens, and about thirty-eight years of age, lived at Brussels for some months, without the exercise of mind, intellect, or memory. She was chained and brought to the house of Francis Ray- makers, at the sign of the Angel, in the city of Gheel. Here she continued for five weeks, in the same state; she was sleepless, while she exhibited indi- cations of a disquieted mind and undoubted madness in all her actions. For nine days, she lay in St. D\ mpna'a hospital, when, through the bounty of Almighty God and through the intercession of our holy virgin and martyr, the woman recovered a full use of her mind, memory, and intellectual faculties. For three weeks, she remained perfectly restored at Gheel, went to confession, and afterwards she received holy communion. "^
The Very Rev. Herr Martin Doye, priest from the town of Athens, in the territory of Hannonia, declared on the faith of a priest, the 15th day of Sep- tember, 1659, that for about three months previous, he had not the use of mind, senses, or intelligence. Yet, through the riches of Divine bounty, and through the intercession of the holy virgin and patroness, St. Dympna, he had recovered his former reasoning powers and intellect. For two continuous months, he daily frequented the choir of St. Dympna, sang the Divine office there, and he had often confessed and partaken of holy communion. "9
Maria Lambrechts, an unmarried female, living in Dunken village, having had repeated attacks of madness, tore and spoiled her own garments, and in-
as witnesses, to the foregoing circumstances and established their credibility.
"5 In the province of North Brabant.
makers and his wife, Elizabeth Verhocvan, in whose house Barbara Mangelers lodged, Anna Vander Wyer, under whose care she remained nine days in the hospital, until she became convalescent, with other witnesses,
"* Dean Vercuylen, Adrian de Wocker,
her husband, John Peters, who brought her,
and two other witnesses, deposed solemnly certified to this cure by sworn deposi- to the foregoing cure.
"7 This case was known to many persons, and in testimony, Cornelius Andries, Dean Vercuylen, and two others, signed their names to a deposition.
tions.
"' In faith of all which, the aforesaid
"^ This Barbara Mangelers, and her
mother, Barbara Stevens, who attended
during her daughter's aberration of mind,
testified and . suijscribed to the foregoing attested,
statement, before the notary. Francis Ray- "" For a confirmation of these circum-
Herr Martin Doye signed, before the Rev. Messrs. Peter van Dungen, Judocus Coenen and John Leysen, entertainer of the afore- said gentleman, for the time he remained, After these signatures, Thomas van Bylen, notary, who wrote this instrument in Latin,
348
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
jured whatever came in her way. Being tied hand and foot, she was brought to St. Dympna's infirmary, where, after the usual nine days' ceremonies, she recovered her health, confessed, and received holy communion. '^" In like manner, a youth, named Wilhelm Segers, of Puets village, was freed from asimilarinsanity,whenbroughttoGheel. Theusualexorcismswereprac- tised, and alter a madness of three or four months' duration, he recovered the former use of his reason. He also partook of the sacraments, by devoutly receiving penance and holy communion. '^'
James Haeghmans, thirty years old, of Bevera, in the province of Wasia, having been affected with a great frenzy and madness for some months, tore and soiled his shirts, garments and other things. Wherefore, he was bound with iron chains and brought to Gheel, in order to obtain relief, through the intercession of the patroness, St. Dympna. Then, after the accustomed cere- monies were performed, by the dean, Haeghmans' former health was restored, and he recovered tlie full possession of his intellect, memory, and senses, havinf^ received spiritual comfort and grace from approaching the sacraments of penance and of holy communion. '"
p^rancis van Binnenbeeck, born in the town of Lira, and twenty-five years of af^e, had an aberration of mind, which deprived him of memory anil intel- lect, for the term of eight months. He was brought to Gheel, in the month of June, A. D. 1663, and placed in the hospital of St. Dympna. After com- plying with the usual nine days' ceremonies, to obtain the intercession of that holy patroness, about the festival of St. John the Baptist's Nativity, he was removedtothehouseofWilhelmWuyts. Here,hewasboundwithchains of iron, and he continued in his insane state, to the month of January, a. d. 1664. At this date, however, he was perfectly restored to health, and he htcsimt cojtipos meiitis. '''^^
Catherine Henvelmans, a Bdghuine nun of Diest, and about twenty-eight years of age, having become insane, was brought to the house of Lambert van Dungen, at Gheel, on the 5th of October, 1664, by two other B^ghuines, named Anna van Gestel and Maria Shertogem. When this Beghuine nun entered the church occasionally, and assi'^ted at the holy sacrifice of Mass, and at other Divine offices, she so often disturbed those present with her in- sane actions, that the poor sufferer was no longer permitted to leave her lodf'ing. Having been placed in the hospital of St. Dympna, when the usual exorcisms were performed, she recovered her former state of quietude and her powers of intellect. "•
Clara Maes, a devout maiden lady of Antwerp, about forty-five years of age, became frantic and ungovernable. She was brought to Gheel, and placed in the hospital of St. Dympna, to obtain the patronage of this holy
stances, we find the signatures of Maiia Lambrechts, of her brother, and of Dean Vercuylen affixed to an instrument, bearing date June 6th, 1660.
"^ This he declared, and subscribed on oath, the 2ist of January, in the presence of the aforesaid Wilhehn Wuyts, Anna Van- der Wyer, matron of the hospital, two other witnesses, and Thomas van Bylen,
" On the 20th of . \pril, 1 661, he signed
an instrument, to wliich Dean Vercuyk-n notary.
and two others subscribed, in faith of the foregoing statements.
"' He subscribed a declaration to the foregoing effect, on the gtii of January, ad. 1662. The same deposition was attcstcil by Peter Van Ge>tel and by his wife, Beatrix vandcn Wouwer, in whose house at Ohccl Haeghmans had lodged, besides two other witnesses, with Thomas van Bylen, no- tary.
"• On the 13th of December, this Beg- huine nun, Catherine Henvelmans, testified and subscribed to the foregoing statements, m tiie presence of Dean Gasper Claes, who performed the ceremonies of exorcism. Jolni (Jodtussen, and Walter Ooms, canons; Lambert van Dungen and his wife. Anna Verdonck, in whose house she dwelt, and Thomas van Bylen, notary, were also pre- sent.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
349
virgin. When the dean had performed his usual course of ceremonies, for eight days, the patient recovered her former good heaUli. '^s
Peter Praet, born at Moerbeck, and about thirty-five years of age, became so deHrious, that his friends were obliged to bind him with chains and cords. This man lodged at the house of Peter van Passel, and in the hospital of St. Dympna. Aftertheusualceremonieswerepractised,bythedean,Praetwas restored to his former state of health. When duly prepared, he received the holy sacraments. "^
A similar species of madness afflicted John van Scheurvvegen. He was a native of Deuren village, near Antwerp. On the last day of May, a. d, 1667, he was brought to Gheel, and placed in St. Dympna's infirmary. After the accustomed ceremonies had received a trial, on the thirteenth day from his arrival, this man recovered the perfect enjoyment of health, and every trace of insanity disappeared. "7
Again, Maria Magdalena Cecili,'^^ about thirty-four years of age, after nine days' exorcisms, and about ten or fourteen days subsequent to them, was delivered from a state of frenzy. She received the sacraments of penance and of holy communion with great devotion. '^9
Anna de Truch, a villager of Egher, was affected with a like aberration of mind and brain, and brought to the hospital of St, Dympna. There, the usual ceremonies, approved by the Pleban,'3° were practised for the term of nine days. After three months' time, all her insanity disappeared, and having been restored to a full exercise of her faculties, she often received the holy Eucharist with matured judgment's'
James Ramont, a native of Lokera village, about one-and-twenty years of age, had been attacked with a great delirium and insanity, for the continu- ance of a whole year, before he was bound with chains and cords, and brought to Gheel. He lodged in the house of a citizen, Peter van Passe), for more thantwomonths. RamontwasalsointhehospitalofSt. Uympna,wherethe ordinary ceremonies of exorcism were performed over him, by the dean, for a term of nine days. He was then restored to health, and fully exercising his faculties, he received permission to approach holy communion. '3^
The Bollandist editor Henschnius closes here his list of miraculous cures, and the depositions accompanying them, as found in the local ecclesiastical records of that city, which venerates our glorious saint as its special patroness.
'=5 After a lapse of three weeks, these facts were attested by her, on the 22nd of September, A. D. 1665, and signed with her own hand. Besides, there were present as witnesses, Walter Buyenas and Walter Ooms, canons, three other persons, and Marcellus, a notary.
'^* On the 26th of July, A. D. 1666, he made declaration to the foregoing effect, be- fore the notary Loovens. Peter van Passel, and his wife Adriana Franken, in whose house he lodged, besides two other witnesses affirmed. Praet's own name is also sub- scribed to this affirmation.
"7 This was attested, by the sign manual of John van Scheurwegen, Adriana Gerinx, otherwise Vrancxs, matron of the hospital, and other witnesses, besides the notary Loovens.
"^ " Thenensis innupta," is added to her name, in the Latin given by Hen- schenius.
'^^ She declared herself always ready to certify on oath, what she then deposed to and signed on the 3rd of August, a. d. 1667, in the presence of Gasper Claes and two other witnesses.
'^o " Plebanum vero maxima vocant in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus sen collegiatis canonicum, cui plebis earum jurisdictioni subditas cura committitur. Statuta Eccl. Argent. Ann. 1435, apud Marten. , torn. 4. Anecd. col. 532 : " Statuimus ut promissarii seu prtebendarii parochialium ecclesiarum suis Plebanis seu viceplebanis reverentiam
exhibeant. "—Du Gauge's " Glossarium Me- dias et infim^ Latinitatis,"«<^ voce, Plebes.
'^i
This her deposition, dated 30th of November, a. d. 1668, she declared herself always ready to repeat on oath. It is fur- ther confirmed, by the signatures of the notary Loovens and of three other wit- nesses.
^^^ A declaration, substantially agreeing
350
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
There can be no doubt, but this catalogue could be extended very considera- bly, by obtaining access to various sources and depositories of information, which must have multiplied in Holland, Belgium, France, and Germany, within the last two hundred years. However, the extraordinary cases, already described, and the wonderful cures performed, on behalf of so many afflicted persons, are subjects for devout reflection ; and, these sufticiently manifest the veneration of a grateful and religious people, throughout the wide extent of the Batavian provinces. Nor is the fame of our holy virgin and martyr con- fined within these limits, or solely referable to past cent«ries, among the Catholic populations of northern Europe.
Having recapitulated the foregoing miracles, obtained through the inter- cession of St. Dympna, from books preserved in her church at Gheel, Hen- schenius gives the following additional supernatural favours, attributed to her patronage, and which are rendered into Latin, from a book written by the Rev. Herr John Ludolph van Craywinckle. '^s
We find it stated, in the first place, that a certain stranger, from the Mosan district, was brought to the church of St. Dympna, at Gheel, on the 21st of June, A. D. 1 6 14. He was so perturbed in mind, by unclean spirits, as was believed,thathecouldscarcelybeheldorledbyfourmen. Heoftenbarked, in imitation of a dog. Having been admitted to St. Dympna's hospital, on the ninth day after the exorcisms had been commenced, and about the ninth hour of the morning, when he was preparing to receive a drink of ablution from the dean, this possessed man often cried out : " It is my last day, it is my last hour, I ought to leave, I ought to leave. " Then, with a great noise, his bandages breaking of their own accord, the possessed man was liberated, in presence of the dean, John Aerts, caretaker of the church, Maria and Anna vande Wyer, nurses of the hospital. In like manner, Anna Oyen, wife of John Lemmens, living in the territory of Diesthem, at a place called Cagge- vinne, near the village of Schaffen, had been suddenly attacked with insanity, in the year 1624. She was popularly supposed to have been possessed by an evil spirit ; and having been brought to St. Dympna's relics, at Gheel, where she was exorcised, that woman afterwards recovered a sane state of mind. '34
Henry van Brynen, a native of the village of Maerhese, in the district of Bois le Due, was seized with a great frenzy, when in the twenty-sixth year of his age, and during the month of February, a. d. 1619. Being bound hand and foot with iron chains, he was brought to Gheel, to obtain a release from hislunacy,throughtheprayersofSt. Dympna. Afteranexorcismofnine days, this person was restored to the right exercise of his mind, memory, and senses. '35
A certain young man, about thirty-five years old, constantly laboured under a troublesome kind of griping disease, which caused a contraction of
common counsellors of Caggevinne caused their seal to be affixed on a certificate, as a testimony of the truth of the foregoing state- ment, while tlieir secretary, Buycx, counter-
with the foregoing account, he signed on
the 20th of June, a. d. 1668. The notary
Loovens, and the witnesses Peter van
Passel, his wife, Adriana Franken, inwlidse
house Ramont had lodged, together with signed this instrument. John Ludolph van
three other persons, add confirmation of the foregoing particulars.
Craywinckel, with foregoing relations, ac- cording to their exact chronological order. We refer to the several dates of occurrence, in each instance.
Craywinckel had the original document in his possession.
'33 We have judged it more expedient, to follow the arrangement of Henschenius,
'^5 On the 9th of May, A. D. 1622, he signed a document, containing in substance rather than place the miiacles recorded by the foregoing declaration, before Arnold Bloom, dean of St. Dympna's Church, Jacob van Hove, and Walter ran de Wyer, com- mon counsellors ; John Wentelberchs, and Amandus Meus, sextons, besides the notary
'M On the nth of March, a. d 1628, the
Mars, were witnesses to the deed.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
all his limbs. Having been exorcised, this young man ejected crooked pins, pieces of glass, fragments of silk, hairs, and various matters of a Hke nature. At length, he was healed of this malady, in the month of October, a. d. 1634. During the same year, on the 23rd of November, Anthony Vlemminx left St. Dympna's hospital perfectly cured, having been brought from a place, called Peraeo, whilst in a state of insanity. On the 31st of March, a. d. 1635, a similar favour was bestowed upon Matthew de Kempis, caretaker of Rump- stan church.
Andrew Wendrix, from Heystomons, submitted to be exorcised for nine days, and was cured of insanity, on the 5th of May, a. d. 1635. Afterwards, John de Voider, a villager of Schoonbroeck, came to Gheel, on the 9th of May, This man declared, that for eight or nine years previously, he had been bound with chains, which were required to restrain him, during the paroxysmsofhismadness. HavinglainintheinfirmaryofSt. Dympna,De Voiderperfectlyrecoveredhishealth. Acertainpiouswoman,sickformany years, tried various remedies, without obtaining any benefit from them, and atlengthshecametoGheel. Ontheeighthday,afterherarrival,whichfell on the 19th of May, a. d. 1636, she was quite restored. A certain Turnhout'36 woman, having complained for half a year, without getting much sleep, when in a state of great debihty, came to Gheel. After remaining there for three days, having vomited very nauseous matter, she soon afterwards recovered her health and returned home, in the month of March, a. d. 1637. After- wards, she was accustomed to take a journey each year, for the purpose of giving thanks to St. Dympna, on the festival day of this holy patroness. About the same time, a certain man, who lived at Hova of St. Laurence, near Antwerp, was tormented with an apparently confirmed insanity. His con- ductors were obliged to tie him against an oak tree, which grew before the Church of St. Dympna. The lunatic was then brought to her hospital, when after submitting to a course of exorcism during nine days, perfect health after- wards returned. An apothecary of Antwerp lost his reason ; when it was found necessary to have him tied on a litter, at Gheel. He tore whatever article happened to fall in his way. However, a little after Pentecost, a. d. 1639, he recovered from this insanity and returned to his home. About the same time, a certain widow, Avho came from Poel village to Gheel, remained there for a year in a frantic state. In like manner, Adriana Michiels went to Gheel from Lesser Brabant. After remaining six weeks, she was almost en- tirely restored, when taking her departure on the first day of January, a. d. 1640.
A certain nun of Louvain was wretchedly afflicted, and as it was generally supposed, by malignant spirits. On the 7th of October, a. d. 1636, she was admitted to the hospital of St. Dympna. Within a few days afterwards, she vomited several pins, buttons, and portions of hair, with clotted blood. Thenceforward, this nun grew better, although it could not be positively asserted, that she had become perfectly cured. A certain married man, and a citizen of Gheel, after a long continued illness, and a presumption of sor- cery having been practised on him, came to the church of St. Dympna. Hav- ing submitted to an exorcism, the man entirely recovered his former state of health. After a lapse of nine or ten months, he fell into another species of disease, which, however, did not present such dangerous symptoms as the
former malady exhibited. '37
Adriana Peeters van Roosendael, who was hopelessly insane and afflicted
'3* A city within the province of Antwerp, '^^ The foregoing accounts are taken from Belgium. Craywinckcl's book.
352
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
with brain disease, lay in a sick ward for nine days. 'ss She was then dis- charged, entirely healed, and she became compos metitis. This woman also devoutly communicated, on the 30th of January, a. d. 1650. ^39 On the 31st of January, in the same year, Gisbert Gerts van Buel, after remaining for nine days, departed from the hospital of St. Dympna quite restored. On the 7th of June, A. D. 1 65 1, Michaelina Desse '"i" was attacked with an intolerable phrenesis^ and furious fits of excitement; yet, after a nine days' sojourn in St. Dympna's hospital, she was brought to the house of Adrian van Dael, and when three weeks had elapsed, she was perfectly restored to a sane state of mind. On the 20th of July, during the same year, one Joanna Wilboorts was brought in a deplorable condition of insanity, from Hierenbek to Gheel.
Her friends were obliged to secure the patient, by fastening the poor sufferer with ropes on a car. For seventeen days, she dwelt in the house of Wilhelm Huybs, and afterwards, she left it in the perfect enjoyment of her former health. Mencia Thys, a devout maiden, having been afflicted with insanity, on the 14th of October, a. d. 165 i, entered the hospital of St. Dympna at Gheel. ThisladyhadtakenherdeparturefromAntwerp,andwithinnine days after her arrival, she recovered the perfect use of reason. Having made a confession of her sins and received holy communion, this maiden lady re- turned in a composed state of mind to Antwerp, where she resided. ''
We are told, by Henschenius, that many other well known miracles, attri- buted to St. Dympna's intercession, in times of old, are not particularly described. But, during the seventeenth century, in which he wrote, this BoUandist editor was careful to note down accurately the depositions and signatures of various eye-witnesses, to serve as incontrovertible evidence of their occurrence, lest many, not in communion with the Catholic Church, might call their truth in question. These miracles are for the most part taken, from the church records of Gheel ; although, in fifteen instances,"'*^ the cases
of supernatural favours received are barely recorded. As the patience of his readers might be too severely taxed, by an unnecessary repetition or uninte- resting catalogue of names, Henschenius deemed it better, to suppress the signatures affixed to those several depositions.
It would seem, that from a very remote period, St. Dympna's intercession had been considered peculiarly effective, in those instances, where magic art or demoniac influence was supposed to exercise sway over miserable indivi- duals. '•^ This popular opinion may have originated, from the constancy and resolution manifested by this holy virgin and martyr, when assailed by diabo- lic temptations and surrounded by the powers of darkness. Her signal victories over trials and adversities were crowned by the brightest and most noble act of heroism, when the soil of Belgium was fertilized by the blood of this stainless and beautiful maiden. From the early days of her innocent childhood, to the end of that brief term which closed her youthful existence,
'^' Tlie present narrative, and those cases which immediately follow, were extracted by Henschenius, from the books belonging to Gheel church.
'39 To the statement contained in the text, Henschenius appends: "Quod attestor Canwcgom Decanos [Qui his verbis hcec Latiiie scripsit pagina 68. "]
'^° To this name is added, "ex Wavera Maria. " It probably means, that she came from Wavre, in the province of South Bra- bant,
'< See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xv. Mali. Acta SS. Dympnae ct Gereberni, pp.
489 to 497.
^'^ " Quibus aliqua ex libro Craywinckel
adduntur. " See I'roemium, ibid. , p. 479. '^^ In the curious work of Martinus Delrio, intituled, " Disquisitionum Magicarum," Libri Sex, after relating that many possessed persons hatl been relieved by pilgrimage to the sepulchre of St. Philip the Apostle in Sicily, and that "anno 1541, plusquam du- cenlK faminx- huiusmodi fuerint numerate," the author adds, " idem cernimus in Bra- bantix Gela ad S. Dympnas sepulchrum,"
lib, vi. , cap. II, sect, iii. , pp. 522, 523.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
353
she had learned how to oppose a passive but effective resistance to meditated wrongs ; by her prudence, patience, and firmness, she foiled the fiercest as- saultsofherwilyadversary. Mostappropriately,therefore,mighttheprayers of her devout clients be addressed to the holy patroness of Gheel, at mention of whose name, even demons believe and tremble. Having remembered her Creator in the days of youth, ''••* with her holy counsellor and guide, St. Gere- bern, our glorious virgin went through those wildernesses that, in the words of inspiration, were not inhabited. In desert places they pitched their tents they stood against their enemies, and avenged themselves on their adversa- ries. '45 Growing up in the desert, as a pillar of smoking aromatical spices, of myrrh, and of frankincense, '4^ the fugitive St. Dympna found her dwelling, and a covert from the face of her destroyer, until he had failed who trod the earth under foot. '47 Through the shadows ol death, our pure virgin passed triumphant, and from the mansions of eternal glory she now looks with radiant and benignant eyes on those, who humbly invoke her protection, and who labour to imitate her self-sacrificing virtues, bright example, holy life, and edifying conversation.
CHAPTER V.
LOCAL MEMORIALS OF ST. DYMPNA IN AND NEAR GHEEL—GENERAL CHARACTER AND DISPOSITION OF THE GHEELOIS—FOUNDATION OF THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL —USUAL MODE OF TREATING THE INSANE—INFLUENCES OF RELIGION ON THEIR STATE AND CONDITION—EXAMINATION OF THE SACRED RELICS IN 1847, BY THE CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOP OF MALINES—MEMORIALS AND FESTIVALS OF THE SAINT REFERENCE TO OUR SAINT IN THE CALENDARS—EMBLEMS OF ST. DYMPNA ON THE CONTINENT AND IN IRELAND—CONCLUSION.
Besides the collegiate church of St. Dympna, a chapel is dedicated to the patroness of Gheel, within the hospital or infirmary, and near the very place, whereitissupposedsheobtainedthecrownofmartyrdom. Anotherchapel was erected to her honour, in the middle of a plain. ' This stands on the spot, where the body of St. Dympna remained immovable, lest the people of Xanten might bear it away. Pious tradition has always preserved such recollections, amongst the devout inhabitants of Gheel. ^ In the circuit of country without this municipality, there are also other chapels dedicated to St. Dympna. 3 As will be seen in the notice of St. Gerebern and of Sonsbeck immediately succeeding, special honour was paid to that holy Virgin and Martyr, in the latter town, and in the old chapel dedicated to his memory.
The inhabitants of Gheel and of the country adjoining are distinguished by a simple, native honesty, and by an affectionate disposition, especially manifested, in their moral and charitable treatment of the afflicted persons
'44 Ecclesiastes, xii. , i.
'45 Wisdom, xi,, 23.
'4^ Canticle of Canticles, iii. , 6. '4'' See Isaias, xvi. , 4.
dolph van Craywinckel, cap. xiii.
3 The reader is referred to an interesting
article on " St. Dympna's City," published in successive Numbers of "The Lamp: an
Chapter v. —'
"Versus MoUum vici-
General num," is added by Henschenius. This Moll Literature," vol. iii. . New Series, No. 70,
is a small river passing near Gheel.
^ The foregoing accounts are taken from the Life of St. Dympna, by Herr John Lu-
pp. 273 to 276, and No. 71, pp. 301 to
303.
-• That very interesting work, by the
illustrated Catholic Journal of
—;
354
authoress, Mfs. Byrne, of "Flemish Interiors," and intituled " Gheel: the city of the Sim- pie," gives a veiy interesting account of the treatment of insane persons in that remark- able colony. It was published by Chapman and Hall, London, crown 8vo, 1869.
condition of various individuals, could only be understood, by a personal inspection, and by such an explanation, as the intelligent officials can best furnish. The writer was informed, that restraint is rarely resorted to, and is considered undesirable, except in rare instances. The number of inmates was not very considerable, in proportion to the in- sane persons living within Gheel district and, from information received, those pa- tients were for the most part affected with chronic diseases, or some peculiar mono- mania, which requited special care and trent- ment. On leaving tiiis establishment, the resident director presented the writer with a copy of a pamphlet entitled, " Reglenient d'ordreinterieurdel'etablissement d'alienes a Gheel," printed at Ghent in 1853, before the infirmary had been founded. This tract lays down the rules and regulations to be ob- served with regard to the insane ; and, these prescriptions are yet' followed, in agreat mca-
5 One of the most interesting visits the in-
quisitive stranger could make, on his arrival
at Gheel, must be to form an acquaintance
with the newly established government hos-
pital. The celebrated medical inspector,
Dr. Bulckens, happened to be absent, at the
time when this opportunity v as aftbrded the
writer ; but, the resident director, Mons.
Verelst, Secreiaire-recevcur de la Commis-
sion Superieure, afforded an amount of in-
teresting information, by illustrating the
advantages of this improved system, on va-
rious insane subjects, while passing through
the various departments of this splendid
establishment.
When this man had spent eleven days in the infirmary, he was fully restored to health, and offering a thanksgiving to God, he returned home, with the greatest feeling of joy and
gratitude. '"^
Elizabeth Betens, a native of Rozenda city,'°7 and twenty-four years of
age, having suffered from illness during five months, lost the use of her me- mory and intellect. She was then brought to Gheel, and she lay in St. Dympna's infirmary, for the term of nine days. After the usual ceremonies had been performed, by Gasper Claes, the dean, through the intercession of St. Dympna, this woman was freed from all her miseries, and she entirely recovered the powers of her memory and intellect. The bandages which tied her were removed. Having made her confession and received holy commuion, on the 22nd of September, a. d. 1653, she returned to her own country. ^°^
'°* The foregoing narrative is substan- tiated, as evidence, bearing Dean Vercuy- len's signature in corroboration.
"' A city of Noith Brabant,
'°^ Witnesses of her disease and recovery, Francis Raymakers and Elizabeth Verhoe- '°5 Testimony to this effect was given ven, in whose house she lodged, EHzabeth
over his own and the signature of two wit- nesses.
'°* Dean Vercuylea subscribed a testi- mony, in support of the foregoing state- ment.
Betens herself, and four other persons, hav- ing duly affixed their signatures, in testi- mony to the truthfulness of all these parti- culars.
'°9 As a testimony of the foregoing ac-
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
Francis Huiberts, a villager of Gerven, and about twenty-six years old, became mute, lame, and frantic, owing to some disease. He was brought in a calash to St. Dympna's church, the circuit of which he made three different times,whileheldinhisplace,bythreemen. Afterwards,hewasleftinthe infirmary. For nine days, commencing from the 5th day of August, a. d. 1652, he was exorcised with the usual ceremonies. But, not having then recovered, he was brought to the residence of Caspar Verdonk, in the deaconate. Thence, he was conducted to the church, so that the usual ceremonies might be per- formed. Infine,havingremainedinGheelforthespaceofthreemonths,onthe
loth of December, he suddenly recovered the exercise of liis mental powers, and the use of his limbs, to the wonder of all who were present. On the fol- lowing day, he felt even improved in health. '°y
Adrian Luiten, a native of Nederwyck village, came to Gheel on the 14th of April, A. D. 1653, affected with sucli excitement and madness, that he could scarcely be kept in his bed, from which he constantly made efforts to escape. He could neither eat, drink, nor sleep. When this man had remained there for ten days, pouring forth tears and lamentations, he obtained quietude and a restoration to health, through St. Dympna's intercession. ""
Helena Smits, a native of Selim, beyond Diest, having been attacked with illness, came to Gheel, on the 14th of September, a. d. 1653. She remained in the hospital of St. Dympna, for ten or twelve days, and through the inter- cession of the holy patroness, this woman was healed. Having confessed her sins and received holy communion, she gave thanks to God and returned to herhome. "' Onthe8thofOctober,duringthesameyear,LudwigVerryl,
forty-six years old, from the village of Meerbeeck, near Mechlin, was seized with an intolerable frenzy and raving. He was bound with iron chains in a wagon and brought to Gheel, while his outcries and wailings moved the com- passion of all who heard him. Having been taken from the vehicle, and brought into the house of Amand Broeckhoven, he was placed beside the fire, and after an hour's rest, all his insanity disappeared. His perfect restoration to health, he attributed to the Divine clemency, and to the prayers of St. Dympna. Thispatientremained,forninedays,observingalltheusualcere- monies and pious exercises. Having made his confession and receiving holy communion, Ludwig Verryl was enrolled in the Confraternity of St. Dympna. '"
Maria Wils, about thirty years old, was brought through some cause, to a
state of childish simplicity and imbecility, in the city of Diest.
neither pray nor sleep. Then, it was found necessary to have her conveyed to St. Dympna's shrine. After the usual solemnities were employed for a month, this person recovered the perfect use of her mind and memory. With a good understanding, she made a confession, and received holy communion. Having given thanks to God, she returned to Diest, making attestation of the miracle wrought in her favour. "^ Helena Briers, about twenty-eight years of age,wasseizedwithahorriblefrenzyatWesemal. Havingentirelylostthe use of her reason, she was bound hand and foot, brought to the city of Gheel,
count, we find the signatures of Francis Hui- berts, of Peter \'ercuylen, dean, of Gaspar Verdonck, and of two other witnesses, affixed to a deposition, which was signed on the 20th of December.
"° In testimony of which Peter Luiten, the father of this young man, and PelerVer- cuylen, dean, appcml their respective signa- tures.
'"This miraculous cure was attested by
She could
Dean Vercuylen.
"'Hisownsignature, tliat ofHerrVer-
cuylen, dean, and the signatures of other persons, arc found appended to a deposition, dated the 17th of October.
"^ Her husband, Matthew van Rappel, and Dean Vercuylen. signed this instru- ment, which is dated loth of November, A. D. 1653.
"* Dean Vercuylen and others subscribed
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
347
on the 3rd of December, a. d. 1653, ^nd placed there, in the hospital of St. Dympna. The usual ceremonies having been applied, for a length of eighteen days, this woman was liberated from her frenzied condition, and she fully recovered her health. She then approached the sacraments of penance and of holy communion. "4
Pereina Peters, from the village of Zundert, near Breda, "s was attacked with insanity, and she lost all use of her reason. She was bound hand and foot, when brought on a vehicle to St. Dympna's shrine, at Gheel, on the iSth of June, 1657. She lodged at the house of John Brugelmans, in that city. For fourteen days, exorcisms were tried, when at the end of that time, she was released from her malady. She received holy communion and visited the churchwithotherCatholics. "^ Inlikemanner,CorneliusAndries,afrenzied, furious madman, and quite irrp,tional in his conversation, was brought to Gheel, tied hand and foot, from Willaer village, on the 20th of May, a. d. 1659. He was placed in St. Dympna's Hospital, and after the usual exor-
cisms and rites had been practised, for nine days, through the intercession of the holy patroness, this man recovered his former health. He confessed, communicated, and served the priest's mass, giving grateful praise to the Supreme Dispenser of all bounty. "7
Barbara Mangelers, wife of John Balens, and about thirty-eight years of age, lived at Brussels for some months, without the exercise of mind, intellect, or memory. She was chained and brought to the house of Francis Ray- makers, at the sign of the Angel, in the city of Gheel. Here she continued for five weeks, in the same state; she was sleepless, while she exhibited indi- cations of a disquieted mind and undoubted madness in all her actions. For nine days, she lay in St. D\ mpna'a hospital, when, through the bounty of Almighty God and through the intercession of our holy virgin and martyr, the woman recovered a full use of her mind, memory, and intellectual faculties. For three weeks, she remained perfectly restored at Gheel, went to confession, and afterwards she received holy communion. "^
The Very Rev. Herr Martin Doye, priest from the town of Athens, in the territory of Hannonia, declared on the faith of a priest, the 15th day of Sep- tember, 1659, that for about three months previous, he had not the use of mind, senses, or intelligence. Yet, through the riches of Divine bounty, and through the intercession of the holy virgin and patroness, St. Dympna, he had recovered his former reasoning powers and intellect. For two continuous months, he daily frequented the choir of St. Dympna, sang the Divine office there, and he had often confessed and partaken of holy communion. "9
Maria Lambrechts, an unmarried female, living in Dunken village, having had repeated attacks of madness, tore and spoiled her own garments, and in-
as witnesses, to the foregoing circumstances and established their credibility.
"5 In the province of North Brabant.
makers and his wife, Elizabeth Verhocvan, in whose house Barbara Mangelers lodged, Anna Vander Wyer, under whose care she remained nine days in the hospital, until she became convalescent, with other witnesses,
"* Dean Vercuylen, Adrian de Wocker,
her husband, John Peters, who brought her,
and two other witnesses, deposed solemnly certified to this cure by sworn deposi- to the foregoing cure.
"7 This case was known to many persons, and in testimony, Cornelius Andries, Dean Vercuylen, and two others, signed their names to a deposition.
tions.
"' In faith of all which, the aforesaid
"^ This Barbara Mangelers, and her
mother, Barbara Stevens, who attended
during her daughter's aberration of mind,
testified and . suijscribed to the foregoing attested,
statement, before the notary. Francis Ray- "" For a confirmation of these circum-
Herr Martin Doye signed, before the Rev. Messrs. Peter van Dungen, Judocus Coenen and John Leysen, entertainer of the afore- said gentleman, for the time he remained, After these signatures, Thomas van Bylen, notary, who wrote this instrument in Latin,
348
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
jured whatever came in her way. Being tied hand and foot, she was brought to St. Dympna's infirmary, where, after the usual nine days' ceremonies, she recovered her health, confessed, and received holy communion. '^" In like manner, a youth, named Wilhelm Segers, of Puets village, was freed from asimilarinsanity,whenbroughttoGheel. Theusualexorcismswereprac- tised, and alter a madness of three or four months' duration, he recovered the former use of his reason. He also partook of the sacraments, by devoutly receiving penance and holy communion. '^'
James Haeghmans, thirty years old, of Bevera, in the province of Wasia, having been affected with a great frenzy and madness for some months, tore and soiled his shirts, garments and other things. Wherefore, he was bound with iron chains and brought to Gheel, in order to obtain relief, through the intercession of the patroness, St. Dympna. Then, after the accustomed cere- monies were performed, by the dean, Haeghmans' former health was restored, and he recovered tlie full possession of his intellect, memory, and senses, havinf^ received spiritual comfort and grace from approaching the sacraments of penance and of holy communion. '"
p^rancis van Binnenbeeck, born in the town of Lira, and twenty-five years of af^e, had an aberration of mind, which deprived him of memory anil intel- lect, for the term of eight months. He was brought to Gheel, in the month of June, A. D. 1663, and placed in the hospital of St. Dympna. After com- plying with the usual nine days' ceremonies, to obtain the intercession of that holy patroness, about the festival of St. John the Baptist's Nativity, he was removedtothehouseofWilhelmWuyts. Here,hewasboundwithchains of iron, and he continued in his insane state, to the month of January, a. d. 1664. At this date, however, he was perfectly restored to health, and he htcsimt cojtipos meiitis. '''^^
Catherine Henvelmans, a Bdghuine nun of Diest, and about twenty-eight years of age, having become insane, was brought to the house of Lambert van Dungen, at Gheel, on the 5th of October, 1664, by two other B^ghuines, named Anna van Gestel and Maria Shertogem. When this Beghuine nun entered the church occasionally, and assi'^ted at the holy sacrifice of Mass, and at other Divine offices, she so often disturbed those present with her in- sane actions, that the poor sufferer was no longer permitted to leave her lodf'ing. Having been placed in the hospital of St. Dympna, when the usual exorcisms were performed, she recovered her former state of quietude and her powers of intellect. "•
Clara Maes, a devout maiden lady of Antwerp, about forty-five years of age, became frantic and ungovernable. She was brought to Gheel, and placed in the hospital of St. Dympna, to obtain the patronage of this holy
stances, we find the signatures of Maiia Lambrechts, of her brother, and of Dean Vercuylen affixed to an instrument, bearing date June 6th, 1660.
"^ This he declared, and subscribed on oath, the 2ist of January, in the presence of the aforesaid Wilhehn Wuyts, Anna Van- der Wyer, matron of the hospital, two other witnesses, and Thomas van Bylen,
" On the 20th of . \pril, 1 661, he signed
an instrument, to wliich Dean Vercuyk-n notary.
and two others subscribed, in faith of the foregoing statements.
"' He subscribed a declaration to the foregoing effect, on the gtii of January, ad. 1662. The same deposition was attcstcil by Peter Van Ge>tel and by his wife, Beatrix vandcn Wouwer, in whose house at Ohccl Haeghmans had lodged, besides two other witnesses, with Thomas van Bylen, no- tary.
"• On the 13th of December, this Beg- huine nun, Catherine Henvelmans, testified and subscribed to the foregoing statements, m tiie presence of Dean Gasper Claes, who performed the ceremonies of exorcism. Jolni (Jodtussen, and Walter Ooms, canons; Lambert van Dungen and his wife. Anna Verdonck, in whose house she dwelt, and Thomas van Bylen, notary, were also pre- sent.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
349
virgin. When the dean had performed his usual course of ceremonies, for eight days, the patient recovered her former good heaUli. '^s
Peter Praet, born at Moerbeck, and about thirty-five years of age, became so deHrious, that his friends were obliged to bind him with chains and cords. This man lodged at the house of Peter van Passel, and in the hospital of St. Dympna. Aftertheusualceremonieswerepractised,bythedean,Praetwas restored to his former state of health. When duly prepared, he received the holy sacraments. "^
A similar species of madness afflicted John van Scheurvvegen. He was a native of Deuren village, near Antwerp. On the last day of May, a. d, 1667, he was brought to Gheel, and placed in St. Dympna's infirmary. After the accustomed ceremonies had received a trial, on the thirteenth day from his arrival, this man recovered the perfect enjoyment of health, and every trace of insanity disappeared. "7
Again, Maria Magdalena Cecili,'^^ about thirty-four years of age, after nine days' exorcisms, and about ten or fourteen days subsequent to them, was delivered from a state of frenzy. She received the sacraments of penance and of holy communion with great devotion. '^9
Anna de Truch, a villager of Egher, was affected with a like aberration of mind and brain, and brought to the hospital of St, Dympna. There, the usual ceremonies, approved by the Pleban,'3° were practised for the term of nine days. After three months' time, all her insanity disappeared, and having been restored to a full exercise of her faculties, she often received the holy Eucharist with matured judgment's'
James Ramont, a native of Lokera village, about one-and-twenty years of age, had been attacked with a great delirium and insanity, for the continu- ance of a whole year, before he was bound with chains and cords, and brought to Gheel. He lodged in the house of a citizen, Peter van Passe), for more thantwomonths. RamontwasalsointhehospitalofSt. Uympna,wherethe ordinary ceremonies of exorcism were performed over him, by the dean, for a term of nine days. He was then restored to health, and fully exercising his faculties, he received permission to approach holy communion. '3^
The Bollandist editor Henschnius closes here his list of miraculous cures, and the depositions accompanying them, as found in the local ecclesiastical records of that city, which venerates our glorious saint as its special patroness.
'=5 After a lapse of three weeks, these facts were attested by her, on the 22nd of September, A. D. 1665, and signed with her own hand. Besides, there were present as witnesses, Walter Buyenas and Walter Ooms, canons, three other persons, and Marcellus, a notary.
'^* On the 26th of July, A. D. 1666, he made declaration to the foregoing effect, be- fore the notary Loovens. Peter van Passel, and his wife Adriana Franken, in whose house he lodged, besides two other witnesses affirmed. Praet's own name is also sub- scribed to this affirmation.
"7 This was attested, by the sign manual of John van Scheurwegen, Adriana Gerinx, otherwise Vrancxs, matron of the hospital, and other witnesses, besides the notary Loovens.
"^ " Thenensis innupta," is added to her name, in the Latin given by Hen- schenius.
'^^ She declared herself always ready to certify on oath, what she then deposed to and signed on the 3rd of August, a. d. 1667, in the presence of Gasper Claes and two other witnesses.
'^o " Plebanum vero maxima vocant in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus sen collegiatis canonicum, cui plebis earum jurisdictioni subditas cura committitur. Statuta Eccl. Argent. Ann. 1435, apud Marten. , torn. 4. Anecd. col. 532 : " Statuimus ut promissarii seu prtebendarii parochialium ecclesiarum suis Plebanis seu viceplebanis reverentiam
exhibeant. "—Du Gauge's " Glossarium Me- dias et infim^ Latinitatis,"«<^ voce, Plebes.
'^i
This her deposition, dated 30th of November, a. d. 1668, she declared herself always ready to repeat on oath. It is fur- ther confirmed, by the signatures of the notary Loovens and of three other wit- nesses.
^^^ A declaration, substantially agreeing
350
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
There can be no doubt, but this catalogue could be extended very considera- bly, by obtaining access to various sources and depositories of information, which must have multiplied in Holland, Belgium, France, and Germany, within the last two hundred years. However, the extraordinary cases, already described, and the wonderful cures performed, on behalf of so many afflicted persons, are subjects for devout reflection ; and, these sufticiently manifest the veneration of a grateful and religious people, throughout the wide extent of the Batavian provinces. Nor is the fame of our holy virgin and martyr con- fined within these limits, or solely referable to past cent«ries, among the Catholic populations of northern Europe.
Having recapitulated the foregoing miracles, obtained through the inter- cession of St. Dympna, from books preserved in her church at Gheel, Hen- schenius gives the following additional supernatural favours, attributed to her patronage, and which are rendered into Latin, from a book written by the Rev. Herr John Ludolph van Craywinckle. '^s
We find it stated, in the first place, that a certain stranger, from the Mosan district, was brought to the church of St. Dympna, at Gheel, on the 21st of June, A. D. 1 6 14. He was so perturbed in mind, by unclean spirits, as was believed,thathecouldscarcelybeheldorledbyfourmen. Heoftenbarked, in imitation of a dog. Having been admitted to St. Dympna's hospital, on the ninth day after the exorcisms had been commenced, and about the ninth hour of the morning, when he was preparing to receive a drink of ablution from the dean, this possessed man often cried out : " It is my last day, it is my last hour, I ought to leave, I ought to leave. " Then, with a great noise, his bandages breaking of their own accord, the possessed man was liberated, in presence of the dean, John Aerts, caretaker of the church, Maria and Anna vande Wyer, nurses of the hospital. In like manner, Anna Oyen, wife of John Lemmens, living in the territory of Diesthem, at a place called Cagge- vinne, near the village of Schaffen, had been suddenly attacked with insanity, in the year 1624. She was popularly supposed to have been possessed by an evil spirit ; and having been brought to St. Dympna's relics, at Gheel, where she was exorcised, that woman afterwards recovered a sane state of mind. '34
Henry van Brynen, a native of the village of Maerhese, in the district of Bois le Due, was seized with a great frenzy, when in the twenty-sixth year of his age, and during the month of February, a. d. 1619. Being bound hand and foot with iron chains, he was brought to Gheel, to obtain a release from hislunacy,throughtheprayersofSt. Dympna. Afteranexorcismofnine days, this person was restored to the right exercise of his mind, memory, and senses. '35
A certain young man, about thirty-five years old, constantly laboured under a troublesome kind of griping disease, which caused a contraction of
common counsellors of Caggevinne caused their seal to be affixed on a certificate, as a testimony of the truth of the foregoing state- ment, while tlieir secretary, Buycx, counter-
with the foregoing account, he signed on
the 20th of June, a. d. 1668. The notary
Loovens, and the witnesses Peter van
Passel, his wife, Adriana Franken, inwlidse
house Ramont had lodged, together with signed this instrument. John Ludolph van
three other persons, add confirmation of the foregoing particulars.
Craywinckel, with foregoing relations, ac- cording to their exact chronological order. We refer to the several dates of occurrence, in each instance.
Craywinckel had the original document in his possession.
'33 We have judged it more expedient, to follow the arrangement of Henschenius,
'^5 On the 9th of May, A. D. 1622, he signed a document, containing in substance rather than place the miiacles recorded by the foregoing declaration, before Arnold Bloom, dean of St. Dympna's Church, Jacob van Hove, and Walter ran de Wyer, com- mon counsellors ; John Wentelberchs, and Amandus Meus, sextons, besides the notary
'M On the nth of March, a. d 1628, the
Mars, were witnesses to the deed.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
all his limbs. Having been exorcised, this young man ejected crooked pins, pieces of glass, fragments of silk, hairs, and various matters of a Hke nature. At length, he was healed of this malady, in the month of October, a. d. 1634. During the same year, on the 23rd of November, Anthony Vlemminx left St. Dympna's hospital perfectly cured, having been brought from a place, called Peraeo, whilst in a state of insanity. On the 31st of March, a. d. 1635, a similar favour was bestowed upon Matthew de Kempis, caretaker of Rump- stan church.
Andrew Wendrix, from Heystomons, submitted to be exorcised for nine days, and was cured of insanity, on the 5th of May, a. d. 1635. Afterwards, John de Voider, a villager of Schoonbroeck, came to Gheel, on the 9th of May, This man declared, that for eight or nine years previously, he had been bound with chains, which were required to restrain him, during the paroxysmsofhismadness. HavinglainintheinfirmaryofSt. Dympna,De Voiderperfectlyrecoveredhishealth. Acertainpiouswoman,sickformany years, tried various remedies, without obtaining any benefit from them, and atlengthshecametoGheel. Ontheeighthday,afterherarrival,whichfell on the 19th of May, a. d. 1636, she was quite restored. A certain Turnhout'36 woman, having complained for half a year, without getting much sleep, when in a state of great debihty, came to Gheel. After remaining there for three days, having vomited very nauseous matter, she soon afterwards recovered her health and returned home, in the month of March, a. d. 1637. After- wards, she was accustomed to take a journey each year, for the purpose of giving thanks to St. Dympna, on the festival day of this holy patroness. About the same time, a certain man, who lived at Hova of St. Laurence, near Antwerp, was tormented with an apparently confirmed insanity. His con- ductors were obliged to tie him against an oak tree, which grew before the Church of St. Dympna. The lunatic was then brought to her hospital, when after submitting to a course of exorcism during nine days, perfect health after- wards returned. An apothecary of Antwerp lost his reason ; when it was found necessary to have him tied on a litter, at Gheel. He tore whatever article happened to fall in his way. However, a little after Pentecost, a. d. 1639, he recovered from this insanity and returned to his home. About the same time, a certain widow, Avho came from Poel village to Gheel, remained there for a year in a frantic state. In like manner, Adriana Michiels went to Gheel from Lesser Brabant. After remaining six weeks, she was almost en- tirely restored, when taking her departure on the first day of January, a. d. 1640.
A certain nun of Louvain was wretchedly afflicted, and as it was generally supposed, by malignant spirits. On the 7th of October, a. d. 1636, she was admitted to the hospital of St. Dympna. Within a few days afterwards, she vomited several pins, buttons, and portions of hair, with clotted blood. Thenceforward, this nun grew better, although it could not be positively asserted, that she had become perfectly cured. A certain married man, and a citizen of Gheel, after a long continued illness, and a presumption of sor- cery having been practised on him, came to the church of St. Dympna. Hav- ing submitted to an exorcism, the man entirely recovered his former state of health. After a lapse of nine or ten months, he fell into another species of disease, which, however, did not present such dangerous symptoms as the
former malady exhibited. '37
Adriana Peeters van Roosendael, who was hopelessly insane and afflicted
'3* A city within the province of Antwerp, '^^ The foregoing accounts are taken from Belgium. Craywinckcl's book.
352
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
with brain disease, lay in a sick ward for nine days. 'ss She was then dis- charged, entirely healed, and she became compos metitis. This woman also devoutly communicated, on the 30th of January, a. d. 1650. ^39 On the 31st of January, in the same year, Gisbert Gerts van Buel, after remaining for nine days, departed from the hospital of St. Dympna quite restored. On the 7th of June, A. D. 1 65 1, Michaelina Desse '"i" was attacked with an intolerable phrenesis^ and furious fits of excitement; yet, after a nine days' sojourn in St. Dympna's hospital, she was brought to the house of Adrian van Dael, and when three weeks had elapsed, she was perfectly restored to a sane state of mind. On the 20th of July, during the same year, one Joanna Wilboorts was brought in a deplorable condition of insanity, from Hierenbek to Gheel.
Her friends were obliged to secure the patient, by fastening the poor sufferer with ropes on a car. For seventeen days, she dwelt in the house of Wilhelm Huybs, and afterwards, she left it in the perfect enjoyment of her former health. Mencia Thys, a devout maiden, having been afflicted with insanity, on the 14th of October, a. d. 165 i, entered the hospital of St. Dympna at Gheel. ThisladyhadtakenherdeparturefromAntwerp,andwithinnine days after her arrival, she recovered the perfect use of reason. Having made a confession of her sins and received holy communion, this maiden lady re- turned in a composed state of mind to Antwerp, where she resided. ''
We are told, by Henschenius, that many other well known miracles, attri- buted to St. Dympna's intercession, in times of old, are not particularly described. But, during the seventeenth century, in which he wrote, this BoUandist editor was careful to note down accurately the depositions and signatures of various eye-witnesses, to serve as incontrovertible evidence of their occurrence, lest many, not in communion with the Catholic Church, might call their truth in question. These miracles are for the most part taken, from the church records of Gheel ; although, in fifteen instances,"'*^ the cases
of supernatural favours received are barely recorded. As the patience of his readers might be too severely taxed, by an unnecessary repetition or uninte- resting catalogue of names, Henschenius deemed it better, to suppress the signatures affixed to those several depositions.
It would seem, that from a very remote period, St. Dympna's intercession had been considered peculiarly effective, in those instances, where magic art or demoniac influence was supposed to exercise sway over miserable indivi- duals. '•^ This popular opinion may have originated, from the constancy and resolution manifested by this holy virgin and martyr, when assailed by diabo- lic temptations and surrounded by the powers of darkness. Her signal victories over trials and adversities were crowned by the brightest and most noble act of heroism, when the soil of Belgium was fertilized by the blood of this stainless and beautiful maiden. From the early days of her innocent childhood, to the end of that brief term which closed her youthful existence,
'^' Tlie present narrative, and those cases which immediately follow, were extracted by Henschenius, from the books belonging to Gheel church.
'39 To the statement contained in the text, Henschenius appends: "Quod attestor Canwcgom Decanos [Qui his verbis hcec Latiiie scripsit pagina 68. "]
'^° To this name is added, "ex Wavera Maria. " It probably means, that she came from Wavre, in the province of South Bra- bant,
'< See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xv. Mali. Acta SS. Dympnae ct Gereberni, pp.
489 to 497.
^'^ " Quibus aliqua ex libro Craywinckel
adduntur. " See I'roemium, ibid. , p. 479. '^^ In the curious work of Martinus Delrio, intituled, " Disquisitionum Magicarum," Libri Sex, after relating that many possessed persons hatl been relieved by pilgrimage to the sepulchre of St. Philip the Apostle in Sicily, and that "anno 1541, plusquam du- cenlK faminx- huiusmodi fuerint numerate," the author adds, " idem cernimus in Bra- bantix Gela ad S. Dympnas sepulchrum,"
lib, vi. , cap. II, sect, iii. , pp. 522, 523.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
353
she had learned how to oppose a passive but effective resistance to meditated wrongs ; by her prudence, patience, and firmness, she foiled the fiercest as- saultsofherwilyadversary. Mostappropriately,therefore,mighttheprayers of her devout clients be addressed to the holy patroness of Gheel, at mention of whose name, even demons believe and tremble. Having remembered her Creator in the days of youth, ''••* with her holy counsellor and guide, St. Gere- bern, our glorious virgin went through those wildernesses that, in the words of inspiration, were not inhabited. In desert places they pitched their tents they stood against their enemies, and avenged themselves on their adversa- ries. '45 Growing up in the desert, as a pillar of smoking aromatical spices, of myrrh, and of frankincense, '4^ the fugitive St. Dympna found her dwelling, and a covert from the face of her destroyer, until he had failed who trod the earth under foot. '47 Through the shadows ol death, our pure virgin passed triumphant, and from the mansions of eternal glory she now looks with radiant and benignant eyes on those, who humbly invoke her protection, and who labour to imitate her self-sacrificing virtues, bright example, holy life, and edifying conversation.
CHAPTER V.
LOCAL MEMORIALS OF ST. DYMPNA IN AND NEAR GHEEL—GENERAL CHARACTER AND DISPOSITION OF THE GHEELOIS—FOUNDATION OF THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL —USUAL MODE OF TREATING THE INSANE—INFLUENCES OF RELIGION ON THEIR STATE AND CONDITION—EXAMINATION OF THE SACRED RELICS IN 1847, BY THE CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOP OF MALINES—MEMORIALS AND FESTIVALS OF THE SAINT REFERENCE TO OUR SAINT IN THE CALENDARS—EMBLEMS OF ST. DYMPNA ON THE CONTINENT AND IN IRELAND—CONCLUSION.
Besides the collegiate church of St. Dympna, a chapel is dedicated to the patroness of Gheel, within the hospital or infirmary, and near the very place, whereitissupposedsheobtainedthecrownofmartyrdom. Anotherchapel was erected to her honour, in the middle of a plain. ' This stands on the spot, where the body of St. Dympna remained immovable, lest the people of Xanten might bear it away. Pious tradition has always preserved such recollections, amongst the devout inhabitants of Gheel. ^ In the circuit of country without this municipality, there are also other chapels dedicated to St. Dympna. 3 As will be seen in the notice of St. Gerebern and of Sonsbeck immediately succeeding, special honour was paid to that holy Virgin and Martyr, in the latter town, and in the old chapel dedicated to his memory.
The inhabitants of Gheel and of the country adjoining are distinguished by a simple, native honesty, and by an affectionate disposition, especially manifested, in their moral and charitable treatment of the afflicted persons
'44 Ecclesiastes, xii. , i.
'45 Wisdom, xi,, 23.
'4^ Canticle of Canticles, iii. , 6. '4'' See Isaias, xvi. , 4.
dolph van Craywinckel, cap. xiii.
3 The reader is referred to an interesting
article on " St. Dympna's City," published in successive Numbers of "The Lamp: an
Chapter v. —'
"Versus MoUum vici-
General num," is added by Henschenius. This Moll Literature," vol. iii. . New Series, No. 70,
is a small river passing near Gheel.
^ The foregoing accounts are taken from the Life of St. Dympna, by Herr John Lu-
pp. 273 to 276, and No. 71, pp. 301 to
303.
-• That very interesting work, by the
illustrated Catholic Journal of
—;
354
authoress, Mfs. Byrne, of "Flemish Interiors," and intituled " Gheel: the city of the Sim- pie," gives a veiy interesting account of the treatment of insane persons in that remark- able colony. It was published by Chapman and Hall, London, crown 8vo, 1869.
condition of various individuals, could only be understood, by a personal inspection, and by such an explanation, as the intelligent officials can best furnish. The writer was informed, that restraint is rarely resorted to, and is considered undesirable, except in rare instances. The number of inmates was not very considerable, in proportion to the in- sane persons living within Gheel district and, from information received, those pa- tients were for the most part affected with chronic diseases, or some peculiar mono- mania, which requited special care and trent- ment. On leaving tiiis establishment, the resident director presented the writer with a copy of a pamphlet entitled, " Reglenient d'ordreinterieurdel'etablissement d'alienes a Gheel," printed at Ghent in 1853, before the infirmary had been founded. This tract lays down the rules and regulations to be ob- served with regard to the insane ; and, these prescriptions are yet' followed, in agreat mca-
5 One of the most interesting visits the in-
quisitive stranger could make, on his arrival
at Gheel, must be to form an acquaintance
with the newly established government hos-
pital. The celebrated medical inspector,
Dr. Bulckens, happened to be absent, at the
time when this opportunity v as aftbrded the
writer ; but, the resident director, Mons.
Verelst, Secreiaire-recevcur de la Commis-
sion Superieure, afforded an amount of in-
teresting information, by illustrating the
advantages of this improved system, on va-
rious insane subjects, while passing through
the various departments of this splendid
establishment.
