He
threatened
a withdrawal of the grace accorded for working miracles, until such agreement should be annulled.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
d.
69, at the Mountain of St.
Julian, between Lucca and Pisa.
See " Italia Sacra," tomus
been Hydrominius, which is not known as a
denomination in Ireland. The place in- i. , Lucenses Episcopi, cols. 791, 792.
532
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
seventyyearsbeforethebirthofourLord,it wascolonizedbytheRomans, and from that period it became a place of importance. In the year of our Lord 553, it was besieged and taken by Narses. 39 After the fall of the Roman Empire, or rather from the destruction of the Gothic kingdom, Lucca seemstohavebeengovernedbyitsownprinces. ^" In774,aftersubjugating the Lombards,41 Charlemagne annexed it to'his own dominions, and Otho I. —surnamedtheGreat^^—addedittotheGermanEmpire. Inthereignof Charles IV. , Lucca became an independent state ^—after it had been sub- jected to various vicissitudes of fortune—in the year 1369. ^4 It continued as a republic under a. go? ifalotiiere and a council, until the French obliged it to adopt anew constitution, in i799. ''5 It was then united with Piombino. Nor was it released from many subsequent changes, even in the present century. ^^ At present, it is annexed to the kingdom of Italy. The environs of this city are remarkably beautiful, and the Apennines begin to rise very near it while, the Serchio—a river not navigable—runs through it and falls into the Tuscan Sea. The streets are generally crooked and narrow,*? as is the case, in most of the older Italian cities. The noble lady Mingarda was remarkable for her extraordinary beauty; yet, still more so, for her exalted virtue. A citizen of Lucca, named Soffredus, according to the Manuscript Life, or Goffredus, according to Franciottus, had been deprived of his wife by death. He was rich and also of noble birth. His kinsmen and friends frequently urged him to marry a second time, that he might not be induced to adopt a son. But, proud of his nobility and great wealth, he thought no woman of his acquaintance worthy of alliance with him, by marriage. When, however, Mingrada came to Lucca, the fame of her beauty and noble birth was diffused among the citizens. Without any exception of class or sex, all endeavoured to afford her the greatest attention and hospitality. With anotherdistinguished potentate, in his company, Soffredus hastened to see her. Despite his pre- viously formed intention, he was so much captivated with the beauty of this Irishlady,thatheresolvedsheshouldbecomehiswife. However,notwishing to prevent the accomplishment of the object she had in view, when leaving her native country, he did not then make any proposals of marriage. But, he awaited the day of her return from Rome, resolving thus to propose, and in a manner he thought less reprehensible. t^ When the time for her return was
expected, and while the lady was yet a considerable distance from Lucca, taking with him some soldiers, who were his accomplices in crime, Soffredus seized on and forced her violently to a fortified castle. There she was com-
3^ See ibid. , col. 789.
39 See Edward Gibbon's *' History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. v. , chap, xliii. , p. 237. Edition by William Smith, LL. D.
*° See Rev. John Chetwode Eustace's "Classical Tour through Italy, An. mdccci," vol. iii. , chap. xii„ pp. 430, 431.
4' See Capefigue s "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap, ix. , pp. 143 to 157.
*' See an account of tiiis Emperor in Jules Zeller's " Ilistuire d'Allemagne. " Fonda- tion de I'Empire Germanique, tome ii. , chap, xiii. , pp. 250 to 383.
*^ See Rees' "Cyclopedia : era New Uni- versal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," vol. xxi. , Art. Lucca.
*^ See " llistoire des Republiques Italicn-
nes du MoyenAge," par J. C. L. Simonde "Vita, Miracoli, c Mcmorie di S. Silao
de Sismondi, tome vii. , chap, xlviii. , pp. 43 to 50.
s " In 1805 Napoleon gave Lucca as a duchy to his sister Eli>a and her husband Pascal de Bacciochi. " Bell's "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. ii. , pait ii. , Italy, chap, . x. , p. 445.
<* See Isaac Butt's " History of Italy, from the Abdication of Napoleon I. , with intro- ductoiy References to that of earlier Times," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , pp. 474. 475.
••^ See "The Popular Encyclopedia; or Conversations Lexicon," vol. iv. , p. 577.
-"^ See Vita ex MS. Not. ariali Ecclesiii? S. Juslin. f Luccxedita . ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 2. —" Acta Sancto- rum. " tomus v. , ^iaii xxi. , p. 65.
*' See the account of this trans. iction in
;
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
533
pletelywithinhispovver. ''9 Therumourofthatviolencehavingspreadthrough Lucca, its citizens, magistrates, and people, went forth to the castle and houses of Soffredus, which they destroyed. Understanding that the purpose of her persecutor was yet unaltered, the injured lady endeavoured by gentle and prudent expostulation to urge, that Soffredus would incur the anger of God and of his holy Apostles, if he did not desist from his evil intentions. Find- ing her words of little avail, and that she should not be likely to escape out of his hands, she yielded to tlie necessity of her situation, and accepted honourable proposals of marriage. Towards such a state of life, however, she did nor appear willingly to incline. s° The object of Soffredus being so farattained,populardispleasurewassucceededbyacclamations. Thepeople of Lucca soon greeted the entrance of the bridegroom with his bride, in the midst of great pomp and rejoicing. Tiic ninth year after their marriage, the wife of Soffredus was seized with some infirmity, which threatened her with speedy dissolution. In order to prepare herself devoutly to meet the latter end, that religious woman earnestly besought her husband for his consent, that she might be permitted to profess a religious life, in St. Justina's nun- nery. 5' With a certain degree of regret at parting from his wife, whom he so tenderly loved, the husband felt moved by her earnest and pious motives. At length, he gave willing assent to her wishes. Li presence of honourable per- sons and of religious belonging to that Benedictine nunnery,5^ he relinquished all further claim upon his spouse. Of his own accord, he even bestowed gifts and offerings on that church, to which she was about to attach herself. Having entered the nunnery, her malady approached a crisis, and in course of a few days, she was deposited in the tomb, with every demonstration of respect, which her virtues and social position deserved. 53 We next find an account of some infringements on the episcopal rights of St. Silaus, and on those of certain churches, pertaining to his diocese. His injuries had been inflicted by a king, who ruled tyrannically in that ecclesiastical district over which the bishop presided. To obtain redress for these wrongs, St. Sylaus resolved on undertakingajourneytoRome. OntheAvay,hepassedthroughLucca,still so celebrated for its noble cathedral, 5+ with other religious institutions. Our saint had received some imperfect intelligence, also, regarding his sister's death, before his arrival at Lucca. When he arrived there, he heard a true account concerning what had occurred, from his kinsman, Soffredus, who re- ceivedhiminamosthonourableandhospitablemanner. Beingconducted to the spot, where his sister was buried, Silaus offered up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass ; while, at the same time, he poured forth fervent prayers and thanks
Vescovo Irlandese," cap. viii. , pp. 56 this life on the 21st of March, a. d. 543, has
to 61.
5° See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesiae S.
been admirably set forth and analyzed, by the Comte de Montalembert, in "Les Moines d'Occident depuis Saint Benoit
Justinae Lucae, edita ab lUustriss. Francisco
Maria Florentinio, sect. 3. —"ActaSancto- jusq'a Saint Bernard," tome ii. , liv. iv. ,
rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
5' This was dedicated to the holy Virgin
and Martyr, St. Justina. This convent is
known to have existed from 964. In it, Ar-
mingardus, the daughter of King Lothaire,
led a religious life, and there too was she
buried, as her epitaph proves. In the year
1015, it was called the Monastery of Our that it is "a mixture of the heavy Saxon Saviour; but, soon after this period it was style, as we are pleased to call it, and the called the Nunnery of St. Justina, whose light arabesque. "—" A Classical Tour head was brought thither, and perhaps a new through Italy, An. mdcccii. ," vol. iii. , church had been built in her honour. chap, xii. , p. 435.
5= The Rule of St. Benedict, who departed ss See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
chap, ii. , pp. 42 to 74.
53 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
Justince Liicoe, edita ab IlUistriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 5. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
54 it was erected in the eleventh century, The Rev. John Chetwode Eustace remarks,
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
to the Almight}', for her happy departure's He then set out for Rome, and on his return took sick. His brother-in-law at Lucca received him, however, with his accustomed kindness. The saint was already distinguished, for several miracles he wrought, in favour of the sick, many of whom were healed from various diseases, and even solely, by drinking water, in which he had washed his hands. 5^ The day of our saint's death being now at hand, Silaus desired, that he might be brought to the oratory of St. Justina ; here after a few days, his blessed spirit departed to those mansions of bliss, in which he fondly hoped to rejoin his beloved sister. The year of his demise is not recorded.
His body was interred with due honour, within the church of St. Justina's convent. Afterwards, the fame of his sanctity became so great, that multi- tudes of sick and infirm came—not only from neighbouring but even from remote places—to be relieved, through his intercession, from various diseases. Largesses and oblations were bestowed by them and others, on that church, inwhichtheremainsofoursaintreposed. Theseofferings,however,inflamed the avaricious desires of Soffredus. He imagined himself justly entitled to a portion of them, because of the sacrifices he had made on behalf of his wife, and of that convent into which she retired. He obliged its religious inmates to return a third part of those oblations they received. This agreement they were obliged to subscribe in writing; but, the Almighty signified his dis- pleasure, at such a proceeding, and in a miraculous manner. For, our saint appeared to a nun, named Lugitha, complaining, that he was subjected to unjust restrictions.
He threatened a withdrawal of the grace accorded for working miracles, until such agreement should be annulled. We are left ignorant regarding the result, as the remaining portion of this narrative appears tohavebeendestroyed. However,itistobeinferred,thatmiraclesafterwards ceased, because Soffredus refused to annul his unjust demands. -^7 When such manifestations had lapsed, at the tomb of our saint, according to his prediction; not only the fame of his sanctity became restricted, but even the very spot for his sepulture was forgotten. Yet, to many holy nuns and to other persons specially favoured, the place of his burial had been frequently revealed in visions. In the year of our Lord 1180,=^ on the iii. of the December Nones, the exact spot of our saint's sepulture was revealed to the Abbess C0ecilia,59 to some of her nuns, and to other persons. A mistake has been admitted, by a Notary, or scribe, called Carolus de Ciuffariniis, who has written the Nones of December, while incorrectly transcribing the old Manuscript. ^ After offering up prayers, that place was dug, when the body of Silaus was discovered. The explorers found it enclosed in a tomb. On this were in- scribed these words : " Divi Silai corpus, qui in Hibernia Episcopus fait, summo veneratione hoc sepulchro conditum, ob prsecipua miracula religiosis- sime custoditur. "^' The body was transferred to a position it formerly occu-
Justinre Lucse, eclita ab Illustriss. Francesco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 6. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomusv. , Maii xxi. , p. 65.
5* See "Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," &c. , cap. x. , p. 68.
57 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesire S. Justinas Luca', tdita ab lilustiiss. Francisco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 7. —"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , ]5p. 65, 66.
S9 Francesco Maria Fiorentinio collects from the Arcliives of the Nunnery, that the name of Cecilia occurs, from a. d. 1175. to A. n. 1181, when Basilia Abbatissa is found substituted.
^ The Bollandists remark, "in zyfras vertens qua; hauil dubie Romanis nnmeris scripta inilia fucrant. " See " Ada Sancto- rum," lomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (o), p. 66.
"' This Epitaph, which is not given in the Saint's Life, but, which appears to have been added by ascribe, is supposed by the
s^Cassar Fiancioltuswriitea learned Trea-
tise on the Diocese, Churches, Saints and
Blessed Persons connected with Lucca. He Boll. andists, to have been the work ol a later reads the passage thus and correctly. period. They say, " Vix autem credere
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
535
pied—near the Altar of the Holy Cross—and with all due veneration. The nuns afterwards petitioned the grandson of Soffredus,who was named Lothaire, to rescind his progenitor's unjust requirements. ^^ To this reasonable request, Lothaireagreed; whenmiracleswereagainwrought,^3atthetombofSilaus. ^* After their discovery of our saint's relics, the religious women of St. Justina applied themselves to ornament the church, in which his body reposed. ^5 New altars were erected and marble slabs were employed, in decorating its interior. The BoUandists ^"^ subjoin a decree ^7 of the Emperor, Otho the Great,^^ in favour of that monastery, in which Silaus' remains reposed. Vari- ous privileges and possessions are conferred upon its religious, in the terms ofthatImperialcharter. Ithasbeenstated,^9thatoursaintwascanonized,7° by Pope Lucius III. ,7' at the request of the Lucca people, and of his nephew Gerard, who was Bishop over this See, in the year :^i83. Other authorities, however, such as Ughelli 7^ and Francesco Maria Fiorentmio say, that as William was Bishop of Lucca, from the year 11 75 to 1195, such a statement is inadmissible. It is quite evident, that the clergy and people of Lucca felt rejoiced in frequently recording the memory of then- patron saint, and in re- turning him homage, for tliose favours he had constantly bestowed on them. 73 It was customary, to invite many of the Lucca clergy to celebrate the solemn office of St. Silaus. 74 We are informed, likewise, that the Bishop of Lucca was memorialed, a. d. 1313,10 allow his sanction for a continuance of the ancient custom, when it was in contemplation, to introduce a rigid monastic discipHne, whereby religious women should be more effectually separated from intercommunication with persons of the other sex, in their ecclesiastical polity and arrangements. Having deputed a pious ecclesiastic to report on this matter, the established custom was allowed to continue, in full force. 75 What is rather unusual, regarding our other Irish saints, we have the effigies of St. Silausyetshown. 7^ TheBollandistsstate,thathisbody,fromtheyearofits
antiquum illud esse, cum quo conditum in-
ventumque est corpus : sed potius suspicor
seculo 12 aut 13 positum, in aliqua renova
tione ipsius tumuli, puta anno 1489, quando
curatus est loculus plumbeus. "—" Acta canonization of our saint must rather be Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (p), pp.
66, 67.
°- See " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S.
Silao Vescovo Irlarxlese," cap. xiiii.
'^3 After narrating the chief acts of our saint, the old Vita S. Sylai Episcopi, belong- ing to the convent of St. Justina, at Lucca, has a brief account of his various mira-
cles.
** See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesi^ S.
Justinse Lucae, edita ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 8. —"ActaSancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , p. 60.
'5 See the Italian "Vita Miracoli, e Me- morie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. XV.
'^^ In their Appendix to our Saint's Acts.
assumed, than proved. —See " Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (r), p. 67.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Commentarius Praevius, sect. 7, p. 64. '6 Jn the Italian Life, allusion is made to an ancient image of the saint, "situata in the Emperor Otho's reign. See the Bol- mezzo ^ due Angeli nell' vrna dorata, che conteneua I'ossa del S. Vescouo. "—"Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo
*7 This mandate bears date, the iv. of the August Kalends, in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 964, and during the vii. Indie- tion. It was issued in the third year of
landists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , sect. 12, 13, pp. 67, 68.
*^ He ruled from a. d. 936 to 973. See Sir
Irlandese," cap. xv. , p. 92.
Harris Nicolas' " Chronology of History," p. 392.
"' By Franciottus.
7° The Bollandists are of opinion, that the
'' He ruled in the chair of St. Peter, from A. D. 1181 to A. D. 1185. See Sir Nicolas Harris' " Chronology of History," p. 210.
'- When treating about the Bishops of Lucca. See " Italia Sacra," tomus i. , Lu- censes Episcopi, cols. 820, 821.
73 In the last Antiphon of the solemn Vespers for St. Silaus, these following words are found: "Felix locus, felix aula, felix civitas, in qua Christi Confessor Sylaus re- quiescit : cujus precibus sanantur debiles ci^ci visum recipiunr, paralytici curantur, languor et morbus a fidelibus protinus repellitur. "
''•This is supposed, by the Bollandists, to have been composed, at the latest, in the Thirteenth Century.
536
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
first elevation, had been placed in the nave, and in the middle of the church. Perhaps, it occupied that place, where it was at first buried, the tomb having been a little elevated above the earth. From this circumstance of our saint's image having the Pallium thereon represented, some advance an opinion, that he was Archbishop, over one or other of the Archiepiscopal Sees in Ireland, viz. , Armagli, Dublin, Cashel, or Tuam. 77 This supposition must refer to that time, after the Pallium had been conceded to their respective occupants
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages. We are fur- nished with an engraving, however, in which St. Silaus is seen clad with the Red Planeta, and with an Archiepiscopal Pallium, having an Angel on either hand. 7^ This engraving is said to represent figures, on the ancient shrine of our saint, and on occasions when it had been withdrawn from the tomb, for vene- ration by the faithful, at his festival day. With advancing time, the wooden shrine, in which our saint's remains were kept, had to be enclosed in a leaden case. On this was inscribed : " Corpus Sancti Silai Episcopi, mcccclxxxix. " But, before this occurred, the saint's arm became separated from his body. Perhaps such event happened, at the time of the first elevation. This sepa- rate portion of his remains was enclosed in a case, with an Italian inscription. It states, that within the silver repository lies the arm of St. Silaus, Bishop and Confessor, whose body reposed in St. Justina's church, and that it was thus enclosed, in the time of Sister Justina de Bandinis, who was Abbess, A. D. 1464. 79 The nuns of St. Justina's convent at length resolved, that St. Silaus' remains must be placed, in a more ornate receptacle, and
that his bones should be so arranged, that they might form an entire I connection. A medical doctor of Cremona, named Hieronymus, was em-
ployed for this purpose. Having brought the disjointed remains, to that
very chamber in which the saint departed this life, Hieronymus disposed
them in their natural position. ^" This event took place, whilst Agnes Alansi presided as Abbess. When those remains were properly adjusted, they were covered with splendid Pontifical garments, and they were placed within a precious shrine of crystal. In this manner, they were exposed tor veneration to the faithlul, on the 21st of May, a. d. 1662. This day fell on the Sunday before Pentecost. That date was assigned for the annual celebration of St. Silaus' festival. It was the day, likewise, on which our saint's feast had been kept of old, and most probably, for the reason, that it was the date for his de- parturefromthislife. ^' Thesacredrelicsofoursaintwerevisitedonthisday, by his devout clients ; and, the citizens of Lucca renewed their devotions towards him, by introducing splendid ceremonies and concerts of sacred music. Florentinius,^^ bears testimony to the religious feeling and gratitude, which inflamed his heart towards our saint, whose intercession he had favoura- bly experienced. ^3 The Bollandist writer declares, after he had left Lucca, he received a letter from this Florentinius. ^-* But, we must now draw our no-
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii A]ipendix to " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie lii xxi. Comnientaiius Prsevius, sect. 8, S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese, pp. 119, 122. p. 64. Afterwards follows an Anagram on his Latin
7* This is represented in Francesco Maria title, '' Dominvs Hieronymvs Cremona
Fiorentini's "Vita, Miracoli, e . Memorie di
S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. xv. ,
p. 93.
'9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xxi. Commeniarlus Prcevius, sect. 9, p. 64.
Lvcensis," which is resolved into this line, " Sylai Ossivm recentem condis honorem.
been Hydrominius, which is not known as a
denomination in Ireland. The place in- i. , Lucenses Episcopi, cols. 791, 792.
532
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
seventyyearsbeforethebirthofourLord,it wascolonizedbytheRomans, and from that period it became a place of importance. In the year of our Lord 553, it was besieged and taken by Narses. 39 After the fall of the Roman Empire, or rather from the destruction of the Gothic kingdom, Lucca seemstohavebeengovernedbyitsownprinces. ^" In774,aftersubjugating the Lombards,41 Charlemagne annexed it to'his own dominions, and Otho I. —surnamedtheGreat^^—addedittotheGermanEmpire. Inthereignof Charles IV. , Lucca became an independent state ^—after it had been sub- jected to various vicissitudes of fortune—in the year 1369. ^4 It continued as a republic under a. go? ifalotiiere and a council, until the French obliged it to adopt anew constitution, in i799. ''5 It was then united with Piombino. Nor was it released from many subsequent changes, even in the present century. ^^ At present, it is annexed to the kingdom of Italy. The environs of this city are remarkably beautiful, and the Apennines begin to rise very near it while, the Serchio—a river not navigable—runs through it and falls into the Tuscan Sea. The streets are generally crooked and narrow,*? as is the case, in most of the older Italian cities. The noble lady Mingarda was remarkable for her extraordinary beauty; yet, still more so, for her exalted virtue. A citizen of Lucca, named Soffredus, according to the Manuscript Life, or Goffredus, according to Franciottus, had been deprived of his wife by death. He was rich and also of noble birth. His kinsmen and friends frequently urged him to marry a second time, that he might not be induced to adopt a son. But, proud of his nobility and great wealth, he thought no woman of his acquaintance worthy of alliance with him, by marriage. When, however, Mingrada came to Lucca, the fame of her beauty and noble birth was diffused among the citizens. Without any exception of class or sex, all endeavoured to afford her the greatest attention and hospitality. With anotherdistinguished potentate, in his company, Soffredus hastened to see her. Despite his pre- viously formed intention, he was so much captivated with the beauty of this Irishlady,thatheresolvedsheshouldbecomehiswife. However,notwishing to prevent the accomplishment of the object she had in view, when leaving her native country, he did not then make any proposals of marriage. But, he awaited the day of her return from Rome, resolving thus to propose, and in a manner he thought less reprehensible. t^ When the time for her return was
expected, and while the lady was yet a considerable distance from Lucca, taking with him some soldiers, who were his accomplices in crime, Soffredus seized on and forced her violently to a fortified castle. There she was com-
3^ See ibid. , col. 789.
39 See Edward Gibbon's *' History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. v. , chap, xliii. , p. 237. Edition by William Smith, LL. D.
*° See Rev. John Chetwode Eustace's "Classical Tour through Italy, An. mdccci," vol. iii. , chap. xii„ pp. 430, 431.
4' See Capefigue s "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap, ix. , pp. 143 to 157.
*' See an account of tiiis Emperor in Jules Zeller's " Ilistuire d'Allemagne. " Fonda- tion de I'Empire Germanique, tome ii. , chap, xiii. , pp. 250 to 383.
*^ See Rees' "Cyclopedia : era New Uni- versal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," vol. xxi. , Art. Lucca.
*^ See " llistoire des Republiques Italicn-
nes du MoyenAge," par J. C. L. Simonde "Vita, Miracoli, c Mcmorie di S. Silao
de Sismondi, tome vii. , chap, xlviii. , pp. 43 to 50.
s " In 1805 Napoleon gave Lucca as a duchy to his sister Eli>a and her husband Pascal de Bacciochi. " Bell's "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. ii. , pait ii. , Italy, chap, . x. , p. 445.
<* See Isaac Butt's " History of Italy, from the Abdication of Napoleon I. , with intro- ductoiy References to that of earlier Times," vol. ii. , chap, xii. , pp. 474. 475.
••^ See "The Popular Encyclopedia; or Conversations Lexicon," vol. iv. , p. 577.
-"^ See Vita ex MS. Not. ariali Ecclesiii? S. Juslin. f Luccxedita . ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 2. —" Acta Sancto- rum. " tomus v. , ^iaii xxi. , p. 65.
*' See the account of this trans. iction in
;
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
533
pletelywithinhispovver. ''9 Therumourofthatviolencehavingspreadthrough Lucca, its citizens, magistrates, and people, went forth to the castle and houses of Soffredus, which they destroyed. Understanding that the purpose of her persecutor was yet unaltered, the injured lady endeavoured by gentle and prudent expostulation to urge, that Soffredus would incur the anger of God and of his holy Apostles, if he did not desist from his evil intentions. Find- ing her words of little avail, and that she should not be likely to escape out of his hands, she yielded to tlie necessity of her situation, and accepted honourable proposals of marriage. Towards such a state of life, however, she did nor appear willingly to incline. s° The object of Soffredus being so farattained,populardispleasurewassucceededbyacclamations. Thepeople of Lucca soon greeted the entrance of the bridegroom with his bride, in the midst of great pomp and rejoicing. Tiic ninth year after their marriage, the wife of Soffredus was seized with some infirmity, which threatened her with speedy dissolution. In order to prepare herself devoutly to meet the latter end, that religious woman earnestly besought her husband for his consent, that she might be permitted to profess a religious life, in St. Justina's nun- nery. 5' With a certain degree of regret at parting from his wife, whom he so tenderly loved, the husband felt moved by her earnest and pious motives. At length, he gave willing assent to her wishes. Li presence of honourable per- sons and of religious belonging to that Benedictine nunnery,5^ he relinquished all further claim upon his spouse. Of his own accord, he even bestowed gifts and offerings on that church, to which she was about to attach herself. Having entered the nunnery, her malady approached a crisis, and in course of a few days, she was deposited in the tomb, with every demonstration of respect, which her virtues and social position deserved. 53 We next find an account of some infringements on the episcopal rights of St. Silaus, and on those of certain churches, pertaining to his diocese. His injuries had been inflicted by a king, who ruled tyrannically in that ecclesiastical district over which the bishop presided. To obtain redress for these wrongs, St. Sylaus resolved on undertakingajourneytoRome. OntheAvay,hepassedthroughLucca,still so celebrated for its noble cathedral, 5+ with other religious institutions. Our saint had received some imperfect intelligence, also, regarding his sister's death, before his arrival at Lucca. When he arrived there, he heard a true account concerning what had occurred, from his kinsman, Soffredus, who re- ceivedhiminamosthonourableandhospitablemanner. Beingconducted to the spot, where his sister was buried, Silaus offered up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass ; while, at the same time, he poured forth fervent prayers and thanks
Vescovo Irlandese," cap. viii. , pp. 56 this life on the 21st of March, a. d. 543, has
to 61.
5° See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesiae S.
been admirably set forth and analyzed, by the Comte de Montalembert, in "Les Moines d'Occident depuis Saint Benoit
Justinae Lucae, edita ab lUustriss. Francisco
Maria Florentinio, sect. 3. —"ActaSancto- jusq'a Saint Bernard," tome ii. , liv. iv. ,
rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
5' This was dedicated to the holy Virgin
and Martyr, St. Justina. This convent is
known to have existed from 964. In it, Ar-
mingardus, the daughter of King Lothaire,
led a religious life, and there too was she
buried, as her epitaph proves. In the year
1015, it was called the Monastery of Our that it is "a mixture of the heavy Saxon Saviour; but, soon after this period it was style, as we are pleased to call it, and the called the Nunnery of St. Justina, whose light arabesque. "—" A Classical Tour head was brought thither, and perhaps a new through Italy, An. mdcccii. ," vol. iii. , church had been built in her honour. chap, xii. , p. 435.
5= The Rule of St. Benedict, who departed ss See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
chap, ii. , pp. 42 to 74.
53 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesise S.
Justince Liicoe, edita ab IlUistriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 5. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Mali xxi. , p. 65.
54 it was erected in the eleventh century, The Rev. John Chetwode Eustace remarks,
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
to the Almight}', for her happy departure's He then set out for Rome, and on his return took sick. His brother-in-law at Lucca received him, however, with his accustomed kindness. The saint was already distinguished, for several miracles he wrought, in favour of the sick, many of whom were healed from various diseases, and even solely, by drinking water, in which he had washed his hands. 5^ The day of our saint's death being now at hand, Silaus desired, that he might be brought to the oratory of St. Justina ; here after a few days, his blessed spirit departed to those mansions of bliss, in which he fondly hoped to rejoin his beloved sister. The year of his demise is not recorded.
His body was interred with due honour, within the church of St. Justina's convent. Afterwards, the fame of his sanctity became so great, that multi- tudes of sick and infirm came—not only from neighbouring but even from remote places—to be relieved, through his intercession, from various diseases. Largesses and oblations were bestowed by them and others, on that church, inwhichtheremainsofoursaintreposed. Theseofferings,however,inflamed the avaricious desires of Soffredus. He imagined himself justly entitled to a portion of them, because of the sacrifices he had made on behalf of his wife, and of that convent into which she retired. He obliged its religious inmates to return a third part of those oblations they received. This agreement they were obliged to subscribe in writing; but, the Almighty signified his dis- pleasure, at such a proceeding, and in a miraculous manner. For, our saint appeared to a nun, named Lugitha, complaining, that he was subjected to unjust restrictions.
He threatened a withdrawal of the grace accorded for working miracles, until such agreement should be annulled. We are left ignorant regarding the result, as the remaining portion of this narrative appears tohavebeendestroyed. However,itistobeinferred,thatmiraclesafterwards ceased, because Soffredus refused to annul his unjust demands. -^7 When such manifestations had lapsed, at the tomb of our saint, according to his prediction; not only the fame of his sanctity became restricted, but even the very spot for his sepulture was forgotten. Yet, to many holy nuns and to other persons specially favoured, the place of his burial had been frequently revealed in visions. In the year of our Lord 1180,=^ on the iii. of the December Nones, the exact spot of our saint's sepulture was revealed to the Abbess C0ecilia,59 to some of her nuns, and to other persons. A mistake has been admitted, by a Notary, or scribe, called Carolus de Ciuffariniis, who has written the Nones of December, while incorrectly transcribing the old Manuscript. ^ After offering up prayers, that place was dug, when the body of Silaus was discovered. The explorers found it enclosed in a tomb. On this were in- scribed these words : " Divi Silai corpus, qui in Hibernia Episcopus fait, summo veneratione hoc sepulchro conditum, ob prsecipua miracula religiosis- sime custoditur. "^' The body was transferred to a position it formerly occu-
Justinre Lucse, eclita ab Illustriss. Francesco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 6. —" Acta Sancto- rum," tomusv. , Maii xxi. , p. 65.
5* See "Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," &c. , cap. x. , p. 68.
57 See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesire S. Justinas Luca', tdita ab lilustiiss. Francisco Maria Fiorentinio, sect. 7. —"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , ]5p. 65, 66.
S9 Francesco Maria Fiorentinio collects from the Arcliives of the Nunnery, that the name of Cecilia occurs, from a. d. 1175. to A. n. 1181, when Basilia Abbatissa is found substituted.
^ The Bollandists remark, "in zyfras vertens qua; hauil dubie Romanis nnmeris scripta inilia fucrant. " See " Ada Sancto- rum," lomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (o), p. 66.
"' This Epitaph, which is not given in the Saint's Life, but, which appears to have been added by ascribe, is supposed by the
s^Cassar Fiancioltuswriitea learned Trea-
tise on the Diocese, Churches, Saints and
Blessed Persons connected with Lucca. He Boll. andists, to have been the work ol a later reads the passage thus and correctly. period. They say, " Vix autem credere
May 21. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
535
pied—near the Altar of the Holy Cross—and with all due veneration. The nuns afterwards petitioned the grandson of Soffredus,who was named Lothaire, to rescind his progenitor's unjust requirements. ^^ To this reasonable request, Lothaireagreed; whenmiracleswereagainwrought,^3atthetombofSilaus. ^* After their discovery of our saint's relics, the religious women of St. Justina applied themselves to ornament the church, in which his body reposed. ^5 New altars were erected and marble slabs were employed, in decorating its interior. The BoUandists ^"^ subjoin a decree ^7 of the Emperor, Otho the Great,^^ in favour of that monastery, in which Silaus' remains reposed. Vari- ous privileges and possessions are conferred upon its religious, in the terms ofthatImperialcharter. Ithasbeenstated,^9thatoursaintwascanonized,7° by Pope Lucius III. ,7' at the request of the Lucca people, and of his nephew Gerard, who was Bishop over this See, in the year :^i83. Other authorities, however, such as Ughelli 7^ and Francesco Maria Fiorentmio say, that as William was Bishop of Lucca, from the year 11 75 to 1195, such a statement is inadmissible. It is quite evident, that the clergy and people of Lucca felt rejoiced in frequently recording the memory of then- patron saint, and in re- turning him homage, for tliose favours he had constantly bestowed on them. 73 It was customary, to invite many of the Lucca clergy to celebrate the solemn office of St. Silaus. 74 We are informed, likewise, that the Bishop of Lucca was memorialed, a. d. 1313,10 allow his sanction for a continuance of the ancient custom, when it was in contemplation, to introduce a rigid monastic discipHne, whereby religious women should be more effectually separated from intercommunication with persons of the other sex, in their ecclesiastical polity and arrangements. Having deputed a pious ecclesiastic to report on this matter, the established custom was allowed to continue, in full force. 75 What is rather unusual, regarding our other Irish saints, we have the effigies of St. Silausyetshown. 7^ TheBollandistsstate,thathisbody,fromtheyearofits
antiquum illud esse, cum quo conditum in-
ventumque est corpus : sed potius suspicor
seculo 12 aut 13 positum, in aliqua renova
tione ipsius tumuli, puta anno 1489, quando
curatus est loculus plumbeus. "—" Acta canonization of our saint must rather be Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (p), pp.
66, 67.
°- See " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S.
Silao Vescovo Irlarxlese," cap. xiiii.
'^3 After narrating the chief acts of our saint, the old Vita S. Sylai Episcopi, belong- ing to the convent of St. Justina, at Lucca, has a brief account of his various mira-
cles.
** See Vita ex MS. Notariali Ecclesi^ S.
Justinse Lucae, edita ab Illustriss. Francisco Maria Florentinio, sect. 8. —"ActaSancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , p. 60.
'5 See the Italian "Vita Miracoli, e Me- morie di S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. XV.
'^^ In their Appendix to our Saint's Acts.
assumed, than proved. —See " Acta Sancto- rum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , n. (r), p. 67.
75 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. Commentarius Praevius, sect. 7, p. 64. '6 Jn the Italian Life, allusion is made to an ancient image of the saint, "situata in the Emperor Otho's reign. See the Bol- mezzo ^ due Angeli nell' vrna dorata, che conteneua I'ossa del S. Vescouo. "—"Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie di S. Silao Vescovo
*7 This mandate bears date, the iv. of the August Kalends, in the year of our Lord's Incarnation 964, and during the vii. Indie- tion. It was issued in the third year of
landists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii xxi. , sect. 12, 13, pp. 67, 68.
*^ He ruled from a. d. 936 to 973. See Sir
Irlandese," cap. xv. , p. 92.
Harris Nicolas' " Chronology of History," p. 392.
"' By Franciottus.
7° The Bollandists are of opinion, that the
'' He ruled in the chair of St. Peter, from A. D. 1181 to A. D. 1185. See Sir Nicolas Harris' " Chronology of History," p. 210.
'- When treating about the Bishops of Lucca. See " Italia Sacra," tomus i. , Lu- censes Episcopi, cols. 820, 821.
73 In the last Antiphon of the solemn Vespers for St. Silaus, these following words are found: "Felix locus, felix aula, felix civitas, in qua Christi Confessor Sylaus re- quiescit : cujus precibus sanantur debiles ci^ci visum recipiunr, paralytici curantur, languor et morbus a fidelibus protinus repellitur. "
''•This is supposed, by the Bollandists, to have been composed, at the latest, in the Thirteenth Century.
536
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 21.
first elevation, had been placed in the nave, and in the middle of the church. Perhaps, it occupied that place, where it was at first buried, the tomb having been a little elevated above the earth. From this circumstance of our saint's image having the Pallium thereon represented, some advance an opinion, that he was Archbishop, over one or other of the Archiepiscopal Sees in Ireland, viz. , Armagli, Dublin, Cashel, or Tuam. 77 This supposition must refer to that time, after the Pallium had been conceded to their respective occupants
; and, it should bring our saint's life down to the middle ages. We are fur- nished with an engraving, however, in which St. Silaus is seen clad with the Red Planeta, and with an Archiepiscopal Pallium, having an Angel on either hand. 7^ This engraving is said to represent figures, on the ancient shrine of our saint, and on occasions when it had been withdrawn from the tomb, for vene- ration by the faithful, at his festival day. With advancing time, the wooden shrine, in which our saint's remains were kept, had to be enclosed in a leaden case. On this was inscribed : " Corpus Sancti Silai Episcopi, mcccclxxxix. " But, before this occurred, the saint's arm became separated from his body. Perhaps such event happened, at the time of the first elevation. This sepa- rate portion of his remains was enclosed in a case, with an Italian inscription. It states, that within the silver repository lies the arm of St. Silaus, Bishop and Confessor, whose body reposed in St. Justina's church, and that it was thus enclosed, in the time of Sister Justina de Bandinis, who was Abbess, A. D. 1464. 79 The nuns of St. Justina's convent at length resolved, that St. Silaus' remains must be placed, in a more ornate receptacle, and
that his bones should be so arranged, that they might form an entire I connection. A medical doctor of Cremona, named Hieronymus, was em-
ployed for this purpose. Having brought the disjointed remains, to that
very chamber in which the saint departed this life, Hieronymus disposed
them in their natural position. ^" This event took place, whilst Agnes Alansi presided as Abbess. When those remains were properly adjusted, they were covered with splendid Pontifical garments, and they were placed within a precious shrine of crystal. In this manner, they were exposed tor veneration to the faithlul, on the 21st of May, a. d. 1662. This day fell on the Sunday before Pentecost. That date was assigned for the annual celebration of St. Silaus' festival. It was the day, likewise, on which our saint's feast had been kept of old, and most probably, for the reason, that it was the date for his de- parturefromthislife. ^' Thesacredrelicsofoursaintwerevisitedonthisday, by his devout clients ; and, the citizens of Lucca renewed their devotions towards him, by introducing splendid ceremonies and concerts of sacred music. Florentinius,^^ bears testimony to the religious feeling and gratitude, which inflamed his heart towards our saint, whose intercession he had favoura- bly experienced. ^3 The Bollandist writer declares, after he had left Lucca, he received a letter from this Florentinius. ^-* But, we must now draw our no-
" See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , Maii A]ipendix to " Vita, Miracoli, e Memorie lii xxi. Comnientaiius Prsevius, sect. 8, S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese, pp. 119, 122. p. 64. Afterwards follows an Anagram on his Latin
7* This is represented in Francesco Maria title, '' Dominvs Hieronymvs Cremona
Fiorentini's "Vita, Miracoli, e . Memorie di
S. Silao Vescovo Irlandese," cap. xv. ,
p. 93.
'9 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. ,
Maii xxi. Commeniarlus Prcevius, sect. 9, p. 64.
Lvcensis," which is resolved into this line, " Sylai Ossivm recentem condis honorem.
