The life of B. Giov.-Colombini

JOHN M. KELLY LIBRARY

Donated by

The Redemptorists of
the Toronto Province

from the Library Collection of
Holy Redeemer College, Windsor

University of
St. Michael's College, Toronto

THE LIFE

B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI

LIBRARY, WINDSOR

B.K>AV*rEi COLVMBINVS I.VSTITVTOR.

THE LIFE

B. GIOV. COLOMBINI

FEO BELCAEI.

Translated from the Editions of 1541 and 1832.

SUIT SITIRI DEUS."

E. WASHBOUENE, 18 PATEENOSTEE EO^Y.

1874.

:/?U

TO THOSE
GLORIOUS AND HIDDEN SAINTS,

AND

s.

HOLY

PEEFACE.

BOOK read and recommended by S. Philip Neri
needs no other word of introduction.

Though the Gesuati are not to be found in England,
there are the children of S. Paul of the Cross, whose
simplicity and love of God is as bright an example to
Catholics of the nineteenth, as that of B. John Colom-
bini and his followers was to those of the fourteenth
century.

The editor of this edition trusts that the life of the
Saint may take a place in the hearts of English Catho
lics next to that of the " Flowers of S. Francis."

He begs the prayers of all such readers for those
whose labours have been spent on it.

The frontispiece is taken from an engraving prefixed
to " De B. Joanne Colombino, Gesuatorum ordinis fon-
datore, Oratio Francisci, Ignatii Tonelli, Eom. Senn.
Eom. clerici. Eoma?, 1631, 4to." Dedicated to Card.
Aldobrandini.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. — The Country and Parentage of Giovanni . . . . 1

II. — His Conversion 3

III. — How the Blessed John made a Vow of Chastity . . 6

IV. — Francesco Vincenti joins him . . . . . . . . 8

V. — A Marvellous Light seen in Giovanni's Chamber. He

gives more Alms, in opposition to his Wife . . 10
VI. — What happened to Giovanni and Francesco about a

Leper 13

VII. — How they take Counsel with some good Servants of

God, and resolve to Live in Poverty . . . . 18

VIII.— Wonderful Mortifications of the Servants of God,

Giovanni and Francesco . . . . . . . . 21

IX. — How they received Novices into their Poor Society . . 25

X. — Conversion of the Son of Niccolo di Nerdusa.. .. 27

XL — The Conversion of Tommaso Guelfaccio . . . . 30

XII. — Of the great Mortification practised by the Blessed

Giovanni during a Journey to Montecchiello . . 33
XIII. — Of the Conversion of Messer Domenico of Montec
chiello 35

XIV. — What the Blessed Giovanni did in Montalcino . . 38

XV. — An Exhortation to Charity and Self-mortification .. 42

XVI.— What the Blessed Giovanni did at Asciano . 47

X CONTEXTS.

CHAP. TAGS

XVII. — An Exhortation to Holy Poverty by the Blessed

Giovanni . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

XVIII.— Of Two Miracles which befell the Blessed Giovanni 52
XIX. — An Exhortation to Patience by the Blessed Giovanni 54
XX. — How, owing to the Malice of some, they were Ba
nished from Siena . . . . . . . . . . 58

XXI. — What the Blessed Giovanni did at Arezzo . . 60

XXII. — An Exhortation to Humility by the Blessed Gio
vanni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

XXIII.— What the Blessed Giovanni did in the City of

Castello 66

XXIV. — An Exhortation to Holy Living by the Blessed

Giovanni . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

XXV. — Of some Miracles worked by the Blessed Giovanni 74

'

XXVI. — A Discourse on Humility by the Blessed Giovanni 77
XXVII. — Of what more befell the Blessed Giovanni at Arezzo 79
XXVIII. — An Exhortation on Loving God and our Neighbour

by the Blessed Giovanni . . . . . . . . 81

XXIX. — How the Blessed Giovanni Established a Convent

for Women 83

XXX. — Exhortations to love Christ. Addressed to the

Sisters of his Company by the Blessed Giovanni 88
XXXI. — What the Blessed Giovanni did for the Convent

of Santa Bonda 92

XXXII. — An Exhortation to Patience by the Blessed Gio
vanni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

XXXIII. — What the Blessed Giovanni did in the Convent of

the Preaching Friars at Siena . . . . 98

XXXIV. — An Exhortation to Conversion by the Blessed

Giovanni 101

XXXV. — How the Blessed Giovanni and his Brothers went

to Pisa, Lucca, Pistoja, and Florence . . . . 103
XXXVI. — An Exhortation to Humility of Spirit by the

Blessed Giovanni . . . . . . . . . . 107

CONTENTS. XI

CHAP.

XXXVII. — How the Blessed Giovanni, with his Company,

went to meet Pope Urban, at Viterbo .. .. 109

XXXVIII.— How they Arrived at Viterbo ...... Ill

XXXIX.— How they went to meet the Pope at Corneto . . 114
XL.— How they accompanied the Pope from Corneto to
Viterbo, and how the religious Habit was pro
mised to them . . . . . . . . . . 117

XLI. — How they were Accused of Heresy in Viterbo . . 120
XLII.— An Exhortation to Perseverance by the Blessed

Giovanni . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

XLIII. — How they were examined by the Inquisitor on
their heretical depravity, and being found pious
and religious, the Pope gave them the Habit.. 125
XLIV. — Of the reasons which induced them to remain
awhile in Viterbo, and how, when they left
that place, they went to the Lake of Bolsena 129
XLV. — How Giovanni, being seized with fever at the

Lake of Bolsena, was carried to Acquapendente 132
XL VI. —The last Will and Testament of the Blessed Gio

vanni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

XLVII. — How he was borne in his Sickness to the Abbey

of S. Salvatore .......... 138

XL VIII. — The Blessed Giovanni's Directions concerning his

Burial .............. 140

XLIX. — A very Holy and Edifying Exhortation delivered

by the Blessed Giovanni in his last Sickness 142
L. — What the Blessed Giovanni said to Francesco

Vincenti ............ 147

LI. — The Last Exhortation of the Blessed Giovanni . . 150
LIL — How the Blessed Giovanni received Extreme Unc
tion, and the Kecommendation of his Soul,
and how he Died .......... 153

LIII.— How the Body of the Blessed Giovanni was borne

to the Convent of Santa Bonda . . . . 156

Xll CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

LIV. — How many holy Women wept over the Body of the

Blessed Giovanni in the Convent of Santa Bonda 158
LV. — Of the Burial of the Blessed Giovanni .. .. 162

LVI. — How the Blessed Francesco fell Sick seven days after

the Death of the Blessed Giovanni 164

LVII. — How the Blessed Francesco died fifteen days after

the Death of the Blessed Giovanni 166

LVIII. — A brief Description of the person of the Blessed

Giovanni, and of his wisdom 170

LIX. — Of some Miracles which, hy the favour of God, were

performed by the Blessed Giovanni after his Death 172

B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE I.

The Country and Parentage of Giovanni.

EKE begins the venerable and holy life of the
Blessed Giovanni Colombini, who was the
first of the poor ones called, for the sake of Jesus
Christ, Gesuati.

The ancient and famous city of Siena, as she has
beyond any other countries had a most singular
reverence and devotion to the Mother of God, so
she has been a most fruitful mother of good servants
of God ; and, amongst other holy men to whom she
has given birth, was one by name and by grace
called Giovanni, of the honourable house of Colombini,
who, much in accordance with the simplicity and

2

2 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBIXI.

purity of his heart, was surnamed Colombino. His
father was called Pietro, and his mother Agnolina.
This gentleman was rich in temporal blessings, and
no less so in honourable relations ; and amongst the
chiefs of the city he was in such repute that, raised
to the post of governor of the city with the other good
and wise citizens, he many times wisely ruled it.

His lawful wife was Mona Biagia, daughter of
Messer Giovanni, whose father was Messer Niccolo
(both knights of the noble family of Cerretani), a
venerable and honourable lady, and well brought up
in all the approved manners ; and by her he had
two children, a boy and a girl, to whom he gave
his parents' names, that is, to the boy, Pietro, to the
girl, Agnolina. He was much given to earthly gains,
and always anxious about his business, prudent and
circumspect in all secular affairs. But the good and
merciful God, wishing to draw this man to Himself
and free him from the power of darkness, converted
him in the manner hereinafter written.

CHAPTEE II.
Ills Conversion.

|NE day, A.D. 1355, Giovanni having returned
home, wishing to dine at once, and not
finding the table and meal prepared, as was usual,
he began to be angry with his wife and servant,
reproving them for their delay, alleging that for
urgent reasons he was most anxious to return to his
business ; to which his wife, gently replying, said,
" Thou hast too much gain, and little expenditure ;
why dost thou worry thyself so much ?" And she
prayed1 him to be patient, that he should very soon
have something to eat. She also said, " While I
prepare the meal, take this book and read a little;"
putting before him a volume which contained some
lives of saints. But Giovanni, offended, took the
book, and throwing it into the middle of the room,
said to her, " Thou thinkest of nothing but legends,
and I must very soon return to the warehouse."

2*

4 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

"While saying these and many other words, his con
science began to prick him, so that he picked up the
book from the ground, and sat down ; and having
opened it, there came before him, by God's will, the
life of S. Marie of Egypt, a sinner converted by God
to marvellous piety.

While Giovanni read this his wife prepared the
dinner, and desired him, "when he pleased, to sit down
to table. Giovanni answered her, " Thou must wait
a little now, till I have read this legend;" which
happened to be of some length, and because it was
full of heavenly melody, his heart began to soften,
and he would not leave off reading till he had come
to the end. His wife, seeing him read so attentively,
and silently considering it, was much rejoiced, hoping
that he would enjoy it to the edification of his soul,
for it was not his custom to read such books. And
certain it is, that by the operation of the Divine
grace it so fell out, for that history so impressed
itself on his soul, that he continually meditated on it
day and night. And with his thoughts thus fixed,
the gracious God so touched his heart, that he began
to despise the things of this world, and to be no
longer so anxious about them as he used, but rather
the contrary; for at first he was so avaricious that

HIS CONVERSION.

he rarely gave alms himself, or liked any one in his
house to do so, and out of covetousness he tried
in his payments to deduct something from the agree
ment made ; but after the aforesaid salutary lesson,
to punish himself for his avarice, he often gave twice
as much as was demanded of him, and to those who
sold him anything, he paid more money than was
due. And so he began to frequent the churches, to
fast often, and to give himself up to prayer and other
devout acts.

LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK III.
How the Blessed John made a Vow of Chastity.

\ N this way, chastising the flesh and bringing
it into subjection, he wished to live in
chastity ; and with many reasons and examples he
exhorted his wife that she should willingly abandon
every carnal action and live holily ; who, consenting
to the holy desire of her husband, though she was
young, they both determined and firmly resolved to
keep chastity till death ; and directly this resolution
was made the true-hearted Giovanni knelt down in
presence of his wife, and courageously said, " 0 Lord
Jesus Christ, as my wife is willing to observe chastity,
so I promise thee to observe it as long as I live."
And from that hour he began no longer to lie down
in bed, sleeping sometimes on a box, and sometimes
on a bench, watching great part of the night in
prayer. And having been occupied in such works
for some time, growing in virtue, and daily improving

HOW HE MADE A VOW OF CHASTITY. 7

in the way of the Lord, giving large alms to the
poor, he began to wish to be entirely poor and a
mendicant for the love of Jesus Christ, so that,
deprived of all, and of every earthly care, he could
diligently follow the poor Christ, his Lord. And
then he began to despise himself in the sight of
others, and to go meanly clad.

LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE IV.

Francesco Vincenti joins him.

CONTINUING this life, it happened that he
met one of his friends and companions who
was called Francesco, the son of Mino de Yincenti, a
man held in honour, and one of the chief men of
the same city, to whom he revealed the secret of his
heart, i.e., how he wished to be utterly poor out of
love to Jesus Christ, begging and praying him to do
the like ; and after often talking together, and speak
ing* much of God and of contempt of the world,
Francesco resolved to be of one mind with Giovanni
in everything ; and being so far mutually agreed, they
began, for the love of Jesus Christ, to distribute
largely amongst the poor those riches which they
formerly used to heap up with much avarice and
eagerness, and Francesco began to go meanly clad
like Giovanni, determining to follow him in manner
and in everything. The people of the country spoke

FRANCESCO VINCENTI JOINS HIM.

much of this novelty, for they all wondered at such
a marvellous change ; and certainly they might mar
vel at seeing these very diligent patricians of their
city, so abounding in earthly riches, despise and hold
in contempt with such fervour their own selves, their
substance, and all earthly things. And whilst they
were leading this sort of life, it happened that at
one time the new knight of Christ, Giovanni, being
sick, and seeing that he received many kind atten
tions from his wife and the aforesaid Francesco, from
the desire of poverty he rose from his bed, put a
blanket over his shoulders, and went secretly to the
hospital for the poor in Siena. His wife and
Francesco entered his room, and not finding him they
marvelled much. Then they went about seeking for
him amongst relations and friends, and could not
find him ; at last, searching the hospitals, they found
him in the very poorest, and said to him, " Why
hast thou fled in this way, for we have been nearly
two days looking for thee?" Giovanni replied, "I
am happy, and you will not let me stay because
this lady of the hospital wished me soon to cook a
potage of leaves." But at last, not to grieve them
any further, he returned home with them.

10 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK V.

A Marvellous Light seen in Giovanni's Chamber. He
gives more Alms, in opposition to Jus Wife.

I GAIN, while the devout servant of God
lived in his own house, it happened that
Mona Alessa, of the noble race of Bandinelli, wife of
Spinello, son of Messer Niccolo Cerretani, having come
to spend a few days with Giovanni's wife, one night
before she went to bed she saw Giovanni's room full
of a marvellous light, and not thinking that he was
there, on going in to know the reason, she found him
kneeling at prayer, without any other natural or
artificial light; therefore, having perceived without
doubt that that extraordinary light came from God,
she, silently, and without making any noise, and full
of wonder, left the room.

And thus leading a holy life, after a little time
Giovanni's son, having reached the age of twelve
years, passed from this mortal life, for which death

HE GIVES ALMS TO THE POOR. 11

Giovanni gave God thanks, congratulated himself,
and received great consolation, seeing that he was
left more free, and at liberty to devote his wealth to
God ; and so he did, for from this time he began to
give alms often, and still more often to bring poor
beggars to his house, giving them food, washing their
feet, and re-clothing them.

Now Giovanni's wife, seeing that he thought so
little of himself, and gave so largely of his wealth to
the poor, although she was, as we have said, religiously
disposed, still, as she was not so enamoured of poverty,
she bore his great compassion impatiently ; and ad
vising him, under colour of temperance and discretion
in the great fervour and action of his spirit, she tried
with prayers to convince him; but he gently an
swered her, " Thou prayedst to God that I might
become charitable, and give myself to virtue, and for
this thou also prayedst to His servants; and now thou
art vexed that I make a little amends for my avarice
and my other sins." His wife made him this reply, "I
prayed that it might rain, but not that a deluge should
come." And Giovanni affirmed that every one was
in a dream and raving, and that human life was like
smoke, and a wind that passes away; and that he
who has gathered most riches has the worst bargain.

12 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

And he added, we should think of the life in heaven,
which will be everlasting, which one can acquire with
little fatigue, and also that the greater the pains
which we suffer for Christ, so much greater are the
consolations which we receive for those pains ; he-
cause to every one who, out of love to Christ, will
leave riches and honours, He will give such a ful
ness of sweetness and comfort to the soul, that it
will say, "I refuse every delight which a hundred
worlds would give me." And with many other words
he tried to persuade her to be willing that he should
follow Christ in extreme poverty ; and many times he
earnestly implored her to give him leave, and by her
consent free him from the laws of matrimony, so
that, released from every earthly care, he could more
easily devote himself to God, and walk in the way of
His good and holy vocation ; but in no way did she
consent to set him free.

CHAPTEK VI.

What happened to Giovanni and Francesco about a
Leper.

JOW it happened one day that the servants of
God, Giovanni and Francesco, when going
to hear Mass at the Duomo, saw at the door of the
church, amongst the other poor creatures who were
begging there, a man sick with leprosy, and half
naked, who was covered from head to foot with scabs
and sores. Giovanni seeing him, and moved in his
inmost heart to pity and compassion, said to Fran
cesco, "Look at this poor creature here, deprived of
every human aid. Shall we take him home, and for
love of Christ take care of him ? We were about to
hear Mass ; this will be to do it." Francesco replied,
" Do what thou wilt." Then this despised Gio
vanni embraced that leper, and lifted him on to a
bench, and put his head between his thighs, and so
bore him on his shoulders in triumph, holding the

14 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBIXI.

leper's hand in his, and with a sweet chanty he gently
laid his cheeks on those corrupt and wounded thighs,
first on one, then on the other ; and on arriving at
the house they brought him in. But when Giovanni's
wife saw him, disgusted and horrified at the ghastly
disease, she said at once, " Are these the goods that
thou bringest to me ? Hast thou brought me home
corruption and rottenness ? I will leave the house,
and thou canst do thy pleasure, as thou art wont."
But Giovanni gently answered her, saying, " I pray
thee to have patience. This is one of God's creatures,
redeemed as we are by His precious Blood, and we
might become like him, if God willed it. For the
love of Christ, I pray thee allow me to put him in our
bed, so that he may rest awhile. Oh, remember how
many pleasures we have had, and how many sins we
have committed, and offended our Creator. Don't let
it trouble thee to make some little amends for them ;
know that the poor and the sick represent the person
of Christ, because He says in the Holy Gospel,
' Whenever you remember and do good to one of these
My least ones, you do it unto Me.' " She replied,
" Thou hast plenty to say, do as thou wilt ; I will not
meddle in it, and if you put him into our bed, I will
never lie there again. Dost thou not now perceive

HIS TREATMENT OF A LEPER. 15

and smell the stink he gives forth ? I can bear it no
longer." Then Giovanni and Francesco, not heeding
the lady's words, having prepared a tepid bath, care
fully washed the leper all over ; and after they had
gently dried him, they laid him to rest awhile in the
best bed, where the lady was accustomed to lie, at
which she was displeased. Finally, Giovanni, that
he might mortify himself still further for the love of
Christ, drank some of the same water with which they
had washed the leper, and afterwards admonished his
wife, that before they should return from church, she
should sometimes visit the sick man ; and with his
companion, Francesco, he returned to hear Mass.
But she did not promise to do this : nevertheless,
beginning to be stung by the pricks of conscience,
because she did not fulfil her husband's commands,
and was not moved to pity for the invalid, rising up,
she went to the leper, and when she opened the door
of the room, she smelt such a very sweet fragrant
smell, as if all sorts of spices and sweet scented
things were gathered there. For which reason, not
daring to enter, she shut the door, and began to weep
bitter tears of repentance, thinking specially of the
words she had spoken to her husband about that poor
sick man. At this moment Giovanni and Francesco

1G LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

returned from church, having on the way bought
confections for the relief of the sick man. And directly
they entered the house, Giovanni said to his wife,
" Why weepest thou ? and what news of our invalid ?"
to whom replying with many tears, she narrated what
had happened to her on going there ; on understand
ing which the servants of God ran to the room, and
on opening the door smelt that same sweet fragrance,
and uncovering the bed, they found no one there.
Then they knew it had been Jesus Christ who had
shown Himself to them in the form of a leper ; and
perceiving such a great gift of God, they returned
Him most hearty thanks. But Giovanni, the servant
of God, anxious only to please Christ, strictly com
manded his wife to tell this to no one as long as she
lived ; and she, having seen the great sign which God
had shown, gave her husband full liberty, and entirely
loosed him from the bonds of matrimony, and set him
free ; and said to him, " Go or stay, just as it pleases
thee, and give what thou wilt for God ; for I will never
again oppose thee in anything thou wouldest do."
Giovanni, much rejoiced at this permission, gave
thanks for it to the Authpr of all good.

Then Giovanni and Francesco, still more kindled
by the Divine fire, wishing to give up the world en-

HIS TREATMENT OF A LEPER. 17

tirely, and not being sure of their own judgment,
sought for good advice as to the way and manner of
life they were about to lead, and prayed much, and
decided on being advised by religious people on the
best course to take.

18 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE VII.

How tliey take Counsel with some good Servants of God,
and resolve to Live in Poverty.

|T that time there were living in Siena some
good and enlightened servants of God, of
great holiness, among whom were Don Pietro de
Petroni, of the same country, a man of much
thought, and of holy life and doctrine. Of this man
and many others, Giovanni sought for advice as to
the best way of following Jesus Christ, and all agreed
in saying that the shortest and most direct way was
through the meanest and most abject poverty, which
is the least open to the praise of men, and most
hidden from the opinion of the vulgar. He also
consulted many masters of sacred theology, who all
agreed in this, affirming that abject poverty had been
the way of the Saviour Jesus Christ, who called and
said, "Let him who will be my servant follow me."
Then the servants of Christ listened with greater con
fidence to the very wholesome advice of their spiritual

RESOLVES TO LIVE IN POVERTY. 19

friends, when they perceived that it was confirmed
by the voice of the great counsellor Jesus Christ,
Who having shown the necessary way of the com
mandments to the young man who had asked Him,
and wishing to give him the highest rule of life,
added directly the perfection of His counsel, saying,
"If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast,
and give to the poor, and come follow me." Then
having taken counsel of the great Master Christ, and
having determined on following Him in the way of
abject poverty, there remaining to Giovanni a girl
of thirteen years of age, and to Francesco another
of five years, both legitimate and natural, they
mutually agreed to put them into one of the best
convents of venerable and honourable ladies of the
Benedictine Order, dedicated to SS. Abundio and
Abundanzio, vulgarly called Santa Bonda, about half
a mile from Siena, and in the year of our Lord 1363
they put those children into that convent. Giovanni
divided his possessions into three parts : one part he
gave to the above-mentioned Convent of Santa Bonda,
one to the great Hospital of Siena, and another to
the sisterhood of the Virgin Mary, on condition that
the convent and the sisterhood should each be bound
to give annually a certain sum of money to his wife,

3*

20 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

also some articles of food for her sustenance, and a
maid to wait upon her ; and this he did with his
wife's consent because of his gifts. His other goods
he had already distributed to the poor, for some
time before he had given up his traffic in the sale
of cloth goods and other merchandise, which he had
carried on in Siena and Perugia and other places,
and had given up everything for God ; for when he
was converted to Christ he possessed about 1200
florins. Francesco gave, for the love of God, all his
goods, both movable and immovable, to the same
monastery, on condition that the Abbess would receive
into it, for God's love, six poor girls, without any
dowry, to become nuns. And he offered up his
daughter on the altar of this convent ; and to make
his alms perfect, he also offered up himself, vowing
perpetual chastity, poverty, and obedience to the
Abbess, saying, " I thank God, who has given me
grace to offer to Him all my wealth and my own self.
I wish that the convent should not be bound to give
me even a piece of bread, but as alms are given to
the rest of the poor;" and he wished this to be
set down in writing by the hand of the public notary,
so that every one then present was moved to tears.

CHAPTEK VIII.

Wonderful Mortifications of the Servants of God,
Giovanni and Francesco.

]lIUS the brave soldiers of Christ, having be
come new spouses of extreme poverty, gladly
began to beg, asking for bread and wine for the love of
God, and were raised in this way to a great height of
love, treading the world under their feet, and esteem
ing every earthly thing. as dust, and increasing every
day in the desire of suffering and bearing pain out of
love to Christ. For the love of Him they esteemed
hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, great inconveniences,
oppressions, reproaches, and all the railing of the
world, as pleasure and ease. Indeed it was a wonderful
thing to see men, who were much respected, and by
the world thought prudent and circumspect, now
having made themselves fools that they might become
wise. For whereas the man of God, Giovanni, before
he became poor, was richly dressed in clothes dyed in

LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

fine colours, and in winter wore under his doublet
a lining of the finest fur, with a hood over his head,
gloves lined, and sometimes two pairs of hose, one
over the other, as well as socks and shoes; and
used to eat by the fire, using fine and delicately-pre
pared food ; with all that often suffering pains of the
stomach, weariness, headache, and other infirmities.
Now, warmed by the Divine fire, forsaking every
luxury and care of the flesh, he went unshod, wear
ing nothing on his head, clad in a scanty robe, with
a short cloak of rough coarse cloth, and that patched ;
he took food roughly prepared, and nevertheless he
was cured of every infirmity, and freed from his
accustomed pains ; and because of the love which
burnt in his breast, he was so kindled with heat,
that cold was driven away from his body; whence,
also, the few clothes that he wore were left un
buttoned over his chest. All which things one of
his friends observing, asked him one day, saying,
''Art thou not cold, Giovanni?" To which he
replied, " Give me thy hand," and taking his hand,
he put it into his bosom, saying, " Does it seem to
thee that I am cold?" His friend answered, "No,
surely, rather thou art so hot that I can no longer
bear my hand there."

WONDERFUL MORTIFICATIONS. 23

Thus then the good servants of God, living poorly
and meanly, gave themselves up to mortifications
whenever they could. Therefore, that they might
follow the steps of their Lord Jesus Christ, they
determined on receiving dishonour where they had
received honour : for having held high office amongst
the nine chief men of the city, and remembering
the honour and reverence which had been paid them
for two months, they wished to be abased for the
same period, and in the same palace, and to per
form the meanest services. As there was yet no
fountain in the palace, they brought all the water
that was wanted from the well in the field, and also
carried the firewood upstairs ; they turned the roasts
in the kitchen, they washed the pots and the pans
and other necessary things ; they swept the halls
and the piazza in front of the palace, and did all
the lowest offices ; and for these two months, when
they had become for the love of God the lowest
servants of the cook, they would not have meat
or drink in the palace, but begged for their food
in the streets. Also in the country round they
humbled themselves, going to the houses of the
dead, bearing the tapers to the Church, burying
the dead bodies, and doing similar offices ; and when

24 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

out of reverence it was denied to them, they begged
that for the love of Christ that spiritual gain
might not be taken from them. And all these
things they did without any reward, that they
might avenge themselves for the honours they had
received in their own country.

And in such mortifications they were by some
laughed at and held in scorn, and by some com
mended and had in reverence. But they never
listened to what was said of them, either in praise
or blame, but were all the more anxious for the
salvation of their own and their neighbours' souls.
Only once, when the man of God, Giovanni, wishing
to avenge himself for the pomp with which he had
ridden through the city, mounted an ass, and going
round the market - place, certain merchants who
were at their warehouses, seeing him going in this
manner, began by words and actions to deride him ;
to whom Giovanni, with a joyful look, replied, " You
laugh at me, and I at you," as if he would say,
" You despise me because I follow Christ, and I de
spise you because you follow the world."

CHAPTEE IX.
Hoiv they Received Novices into their Poor Society.

JND in such severe living Giovanni and Fran
cesco served God two years or more, from
the day they began to beg, without any other com
panions. But their holiness, like a city set on a hill
or a light on a candlestick, could not long be hid ; for
many, having seen the honours and riches which
Giovanni and Francesco had renounced, and the
misery and poverty which they had embraced for
the love of Christ, attracted by the odour of their
virtues, had such great reverence and love for them,
that by their example and teaching they left off sin
and vices, and gave themselves up to holy works and
good living. Some, renouncing the world, became
religious, and many, remaining in their houses, lived
virtuously, amending their lives. Many citizens also,
who wished perfectly to serve Christ, joined Francesco
and Giovanni, really left the world, and became, to-

20 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

gether with them, lovers of abject poverty. And so
these men of God went about the city, praising
the Name of Jesus Christ with loud voices, affec
tionately exhorting sinners to turn to repentance.

CHAPTEE X.

Conversion of the Son of Niccold di Nerdusa.

HE son of Niccolo di Nerdusa, of Siena, a
young man above twenty years old, came
one day to Giovanni, the servant of God, and told
him that he was very anxious to become one of
his spiritual children, adding that he would do what
ever he wished ; so Giovanni, wishing to see if he
was really in earnest, told him that he should strip
and re-clothe him at the public fountain. The young
man replied that he might do what he would with
him, as if he were a dead body. So Giovanni and
his companions went to the market-place, and after
first kneeling before the image of our Lady, they went
to the fountain, where Giovanni ordered certain young
men to pull off the youth's shoes and stockings; then
they returned to the image of our Lady, and stripped
him of his clothes, and put other very shabby gar
ments on him. Whilst this was going on, Giovanni

28 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

and one of his companions called II Boccia, sang a
devout hymn, beginning: "Diletto Jesii Cristo, chi
ben t'ama;"* and then they led him to the Duomo.
This sight brought many people together, as usually
happens on such occasions ; and in this way they
inflicted great mortifications on the young man, for
Christ's .sake. He said afterwards that the suffer
ing of death could not be worse than what he had
then endured; but the good Jesus rewarded him,
for the following night God came to him with such
power that he could not sleep for excessive joy. God
worked great wonders in him, and revealed great
things to him, at which, when he related them,
those who heard him were astonished. He earnestly
exhorted Giovanni and his brothers to preach Jesus
Christ, saying that the time was come when God
would show great mercy to sinners, and that Jesus
Christ had said to him: " Tell people that if they will
truly confess and repent of their sins, and faithfully
call on my Name, they shall see what I will do for
them." After having received great spiritual con
solations, the young man was deeply imbued with
the love of Christ, and going with Giovanni to the
convent of Santa Bonda, he spoke to the Abbess on

* " The beloved Jesus Christ, "Who loves thee much."

CONVERSION OF A YOUNG MAN. 29

behalf of Christ, saying, " It has been revealed to
nie by Christ that I owe this favour to your prayers,
and that we should pray for people, for our prayers
will be heard, and all are precious in God's sight ;"
and other wonderful things he related. He spoke
so earnestly that the Abbess said to him : " Tell me,
if thou lovest Christ so much as thou sayest, what
wilt thou do for His sake ? " The young man re
plied, " I would do anything that I was told." Then
the Abbess said, " Go and strip thyself, and walk
through Siena, proclaiming the Name of Jesus
Christ." She said this to see if he really meant
what he said. He at once took off his clothes and
went out, but the Abbess told Giovanni to go and
meet him, and bring him back. When the man of
God (Giovanni) was writing an account of this to his
friend, brother Giorgio, of San Domenico, who was
then preaching at Volterra, he said to him, " Now
you see how Christ blesses the man who really gives
himself to Him, for in one day He can cause sinners
and worldly-minded men to acquire the grace of
perfection."

30 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XL

The Conversion of Tommaso Guelfaccio.

MUST not omit to mention the wonderful
conversion of Tommaso de Guelfaccio. This
man was a citizen of Siena, of a noble family, one of
the nine rulers, but was given to gluttony and every
sensual and worldly pleasure. He hated all religions,
especially this poor confraternity. One day, however,
when Giovanni was going out of the city with some of
his poor brothers, to visit his loved Convent of Santa
Bonda, Tommaso followed him for his amusement ;
and when Giovanni came to a place where three roads
met, and where a great cross of wood was erected, he
looked behind, and seeing Tommaso, said to him,
"Oh, Tommaso, wilt thou do me a favour, for Christ's
sake?" Tommaso answered, "If I can I will gladly
do it for you." "I pray thee," said Giovanni, "for
Jesus Christ's sake, to kneel down at the foot of this
cross and say a Paternoster and an Ave Maria." Tom-

CONVERSION OF TOMMASO GUELFACCIO. 31

maso said, "If that is all thou requirest, I will willingly
say not one only, but two." Giovanni replied, " I do
not want anything else of thee." Then Tommaso,
uncovering his head, knelt down and began to say
the Paternoster. The loving Giovanni also knelt
down and prayed earnestly that God would enlighten
Tommaso with His truth, and warm his heart with
His love. After Giovanni had spent some time in
prayers he rose up, when Tommaso threw himself at
his feet, imploring his pardon, and saying, "I will
not go until thou hast accepted me as one of the
least in thy holy company ;" and thus miraculously
converted, he cast off his clothes, and dressed himself
meanly like the others, and so was received into the
poor congregation. All the city marvelled at this
conversion, and many thought he would not per
severe ; and Giovanni, the man of God, that brave
soldier of Christ, who fought so valiantly for His
honour, exhorted him earnestly, saying, "Kemember,
dear brother, how thou hast laboured for the wicked
world, and now seek that Jesus Christ our Lord may
employ thee to His honour and glory. Know that in
proportion to thy faith and holy desire so will God
fill thy mind with goodness ; therefore be brave, and
seek and strive for the honour of Jesus Christ." Tom-

32 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

maso fought victoriously against the world, the flesh,
and the devil, and went harefoot and bareheaded,
like the other poor brothers. One day a lay brother,
begging for his convent, seeing that Tommaso, who
had very often ridiculed him, had a hard black sub
stance on his head, said to him in joke, " Tommaso,
thou hast eaten so much liverwort that it is growing
out of thy head ;" to which he humbly replied, " Now
it is your turn." And thus receiving mortification
from many people, by God's grace he grew better and
better, and persevered to the end.

CHAPTEK XII.

Of the great Mortification Practised by the Blessed
Giovanni during a Journey to Montecchiello.

JIOVANNI, the servant of Christ, was once
going to Montecchiello with Francesco Vin-
centi, Vanni, and another of his companions, and
when they came near San Giovanni at Asso, and
were passing the estates which Giovanni had given
to the Convent of Santa Bonda, he, wishing to punish
himself for his sins in every place where he had
lived, stripped himself almost naked, and ordered his
companions to drag him by a cord through all the
villages of the district, beating him at the same time ;
and he told the one who held the rope to say, "Look
at this fellow, who wanted to starve you, who every
year gave you old corn which had been spoilt by
the weevils, and then asked for the good new corn
more than was right, and wanted to charge it a
florin a bushel. Give it to him well, this cruel man,

4

84 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

who hates the poor." And in this way they led him
through the villages, beating him, and dragging him
by the cord so fiercely, that he could hardly breathe,
and they obediently did and said all that he com
manded them; and the people, astonished at this
strange sad sight, and at his thus mortifying himself
before them, their compassion and admiration were so
great that not one of them was able to say a word.
Afterwards the humble Giovanni said to his brothers,
" Christ will reward you for your obedience and
charity towards me, yet do not think that the sinful
and unholy desires which I used to have in these
places are atoned for ; rather I deserve to be dragged
in this way over the whole country."

CHAPTER XIII.

Of the Conversion of Messcr Domenico of Montecchiello.

iNOTHER time when the man of God Gio
vanni was going to Montecchiello with his
poor brothers, they stopped at Corsignano ; and
there preaching Christ's Name, very great honour
was shown towards them, and having rested there for
the night, they left the next morning, though with
great difficulty. But when they had gone a little
way, the men of Corsignano sent after them, praying
them for God's sake to return ; for one of their place
said he had had a vision, in which he had seen men
drowning, and they were saved from danger and
from death by the hands of Giovanni and his com
panions : so these poor brothers in their charity
returned to Corsignano, and there gained much fruit.
After this, when they reached Montecchiello, they
found many of the people there very hard and

obstinate, and they had to bear a great deal of

4*

36 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

suffering and ill-treatment from them for Christ's
sake. And when Giovanni, the servant of God,
noticed that the people neither feared God nor kept
His commandments, he saw in the spirit the scourge
that God had prepared for them. For more than
twenty years before he had warned them that if they
did not repent they should be destroyed, and so it
happened ; for in the war that followed between the
Siennese and Florentines, Montecchiello was ruined
and plundered. However, I cannot say that the
man of God Giovanni gained no fruit there, because
Messer Domenico of Montecchiello, a doctor of laws,
and Monna Antonia, his wife, were converted by
his holy words. This Messer Domenico was one of
his first companions; he devoted himself to God's
service, and had very great spiritual knowledge ; he
was also a man of many tears and much prayer.
He translated, for the comfort of Giovanni and his
companions, a little book of Mystic Theology which
had been written by a holy man, a Carthusian. The
twelve nobles who governed the city at that time
made Domenico the vicar for the year at Petriuolo,
which office he held with Giovanni's consent, and
afterwards, when Giovanni and his brothers went
to Montecchiello, they usually stayed at his house.

CONVERSION OF MESSER DOMENICO. 37

Another man from this place, called Francesco, also
followed the man of God Giovanni in the way of
holy poverty, and when he was converted, he pre
sented himself to his wife and children barefooted
and poor, like his companions, and by his self-mor
tification and humiliation, his wife was converted
also.

38 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XIV.
What the Blessed Giovanni did in Montalcino.

JETER this, Giovanni, the servant of God,
and his poor brothers, went to Montalcino,
and there preached about God, and the salvation of
the soul, which excited such fervour of weeping and
lamentation throughout the place, that many men
and women heartily changed their lives ; and amongst
those who were converted to Christ were Fazio di
Betto, who became one of Giovanni's followers, never
to leave him again ; also Agostino and his wife
Binda. This man afterwards grew so very fervent,
that whenever he heard Christ spoken of, he could
not resist crying out in the excess of his fervour, and
it was just the same with 'his wife. Another man,
also, called Barna, became poor for Christ's sake :
he was a devout servant of God, and sang many holy
hymns. One Monna Jacopa of this place, who had
a husband and four children, was also converted;

AT MONTALCINO. 39

and of her Giovanni used to say that he had never
seen any one more ardent or self-denying. She was
very often so overcome by her fervour that she was
almost beside herself, so that once she fell into the
fire ; and sometimes, when she was going along the
road, she fell into the mud: she was a woman of
many tears, and very humble and charitable.

Once, when Giovanni and his companions were
at Montalcino, they were joined by Francesco cli
Montecchiello ; and one Sunday evening, when Fran
cesco was taking the discipline, in the oratory be
longing to the Flagellants, with whom the poor ones
of Christ were staying, such sudden fervour was
kindled in his heart by Christ, that he hardly slept
all that night, nor could Giovanni sleep either.
Francesco declared that till that moment he had
never known Christ, and that all his works hitherto
had been dark and deceitful ; and the next night his
fervour was still greater, he shed many tears, and
could not refrain from crying out and leaping for joy.
This astonished Giovanni greatly, for Francesco had
only lately become a follower of Christ, and he
(Giovanni) had never said anything to him which
could give rise to such strong feelings. When Fran
cesco returned to Montecchiello, he went about the

40 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

place, proclaiming the name of Christ with such
earnestness that people thought he was mad.

Giovanni, the servant of God, remained some days
in Montalcino, and while there, about twenty of his
companions in poverty were taken ill with ague,
which was a common complaint in those parts. Meo
Martino of Montalcino was very kind to them, taking
them sugar, wine, and other good things. Francesco
di Montecchiello, his wife, and three old ladies also
brought them plenty of provisions from Montecchiello.
A young man, the nephew of Messer Cione, the Count
of Montecchiello, came with Francesco, and before
Giovanni and the others, he took off his shoes and
stockings, and gave all his clothes and money to
those ladies of Montecchiello, that they might give it
to God ; and so he became one of the poor of Jesus
Christ. Francesco's wife and the other ladies were
so greatly edified by the life and doctrine of Giovanni,
the man of God, and his companions, that they re
turned to Montecchiello full of the love of Jesus
Christ. Amongst those who were ill were Messer
Domenico di Montecchiello, Ambrogio di Giucca,
and Giovanni d'Ambrogio d'Agnolino, a citizen of
Siena. This last would have died of his sickness,
but owing to the prayers of Giovanni, the servant

AT MON TALCING. 41

of God, and his companions, he was miraculously
healed by God. During his illness, Giovanni said
to him one day, " Tell me, Giovanni, which would
you like best ? or which do you think I had better
do? Give myself only to prayer, and wholly retire
from the world, or go about preaching Christ ? " To
this he replied, "Do not cease to preach Christ."
And this was a cause of sorrow to himself till the
day of his death, because he was of a weakly con
stitution.

They had been about fifteen days at Montalcino,
when a young man who was on guard at the Castle
there, entreated Giovanni so earnestly to receive him
into his family, that he could not refuse his request ;
and this youth suffered himself to be led through
Montalcino, clad in his shirt only, with a halter round
his neck, being abused and insulted at the same time.
After this the humble Giovanni and his good brothers
left Montalcino ; and they departed secretly, because
of the great devotion in which they were held.

42 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XV.

An Exhortation to Charity and Self-mortification.

JIOVANNI, the man of God, said that he noticed
throughout Christendom more virtuous acts
than ever, more learning, more morality, more re
spect, more ceremonies, more offices ; and that all
would be holy, and are so in proportion as they con
tain chanty, hut of that he found scarcely any, at
least, not the true sort which Christ kindles in the
soul. And for this he only saw three remedies.
First, to speak constantly of Jesus Christ, His love,
and great benefits to the soul; for the more strongly
a man speaks the more he feels. Secondly, to culti
vate great love and charity for all creatures, to make
much of them, and show them love without measure :
he found that greater honour was done to Christ by
this second rule than by a long sermon, for this
kindles on both sides great feeling and fervour to
wards God. Thirdly, to mortify ourselves greatly, for

EXHORTATION TO CHARITY. 43

that takes us out of ourselves, and sets us free. If
these three rules, he said, were assiduously followed,
the soul would certainly gain by them : after that we
should wish to follow Christ in humility and gratitude.
In proof of this he related, that one day being in
Montecchiello, he there found three of his converts
wanting in fervour, so he enjoined them to mortify
themselves, and spoke joyfully to them of Christ.
They were immediately aroused to much thought of
God, and a child, the son of one of them, was sud
denly seized with fervour, though he did not know
what it was. Fervour awoke also in the hearts of the
others, and they were so inflamed with Divine love
that they were willing to cast themselves into the
fire, or suffer any pain or shame for the honour of
Jesus Christ. For this reason the much-loving John
said to his dear brothers : " It is my opinion that virtues
are failing because we fail to speak enough of God,
for I have seen and known that, as a natural conse
quence, the heart feels what the tongue utters; so he
whose talk is of the world, grows lukewarm and
worldly; he who speaks of Christ thinks of Christ.
Therefore, if you wish Christ to give Himself to you,
you will always be ready to speak, sing, or read of
Christ, or else to meditate on or pray to Him. You

LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

must know that no worse temptation can befall a
man than that of hiding and being silent about the
blessings and gifts of God, because sweet converse
about Jesus Christ is food and life to the soul ; and
Christ will never leave the soul who loves to talk of
Him. He will be always with him. Therefore, if
the whole world were to tell you not to speak of
Christ, you can laugh them to scorn ; for whoever
will confess Him before men, him will He confess
before His Father. For this reason I exhort you never
to forget the holy art of speaking about God." Then
he cried out, vehemently, "Oh, let us not sleep; let
us proclaim the blessed Name of Christ by day and
night, in the streets and market-places : let us go to
hell, if need be, to proclaim It there and do It honour :
the icorld goes there because it does not remember It :
let us go there to proclaim and publish It : may the
most holy Name of Christ live for ever: let not
tongues be weary or hearts satiated with proclaim
ing Christ crucified : may He reign a thousand thou
sand years : may the most holy Name of Christ reign
for ever : may Christ reign over the world in the
hearts of all men. To Jesus Christ be all honour and
glory; to us shame and dishonour."

Once, when Giovanni, the servant of God, was in

EXHORTATION TO CHARITY. 45

Montecchiello, he went to see a sick man there ;
who, although he was very patient, groaned contin
ually, and could take no rest, because his sickness
was very painful. The compassionate John began to
comfort him, exhorting him to continue patient to the
end, telling him that God had laid that sickness on
him for his good, and for his soul's health, and that
he would be rewarded in the next world. After that,
he wished to see him naked, and uncovered him, and
seeing him full of sores, he felt great pity for him.
Then, without the least dread or loathing, he bent
over him tenderly, and for love of Christ licked him
all over. That done, he said, "May the blessing of
Christ be with thee, and be in peace, for God will help
thee." As soon as John had left him he felt better,
and was relieved of his pains. When John and his
poor little ones were at dinner, great honour was done
to them, and chickens were set before them ; and the
charitable Giovanni took one of them, and said to his
companion, Vanni, " Take this, and carry it to that
sick man, and bid him take comfort in Christ."
Vanni immediately took it to him, and on seeing
Vanni, the sick man was very glad, and said, " Tell
Giovanni that, by God's mercy and by means of his
charity, I am better, and my pains have left me."

46 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

Not long after that the sick man died, and for his
constant patience under his great infirmities the
gracious God worked miracles by him. Giovanni ate
very little meat, and did not like it at all; hut when it
was set hefore him, not wishing to appear singular,
he pretended to take some, as the others did. He
used to sigh when he was at table, and often wept
while eating.

CHAPTEE XVI.

What the Blessed Giovanni did at Asciano.

jNOTHEK time, when Giovanni, the man of
God, was walking with Francesco Vincenti and
other companions towards the Castle of Asciano, they
being hungry and weary, stopped at a poor country
man's door, and said to him, "For the love of God,
we pray thee give us something to eat." The country
man replied, " I have but little, but of that little I
will gladly give you." "Pray prepare us a little
cabbage," they said. The countryman answered,
"God knows that there is none here, for Anechino's
troop of soldiers, and others besides, have cut away,
not only leaves, but whole plants, and not a leaf is
left in the neighbourhood." To this the servants of
God replied, " Go and look about well, for perhaps
thou mayest find some." And he said, "I will go, but
I am sure there are not any." So he went, and found a
quantity of beautiful cabbages, and wondering greatly,

48 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

lie cut some and had them dressed. When the poor
of Jesus Christ were eating, they said again to the
countryman, "Canst thou give us a leek?" "Both
leeks and everything else that is eatable have been
plundered," he replied; "but if you wish, I will go
and see, and perhaps I might miraculously find some
leeks also ; " and they told him to go. So he went,
and found some leeks, and brought them with great
joy, and every one wondered greatly at the cabbages
and the leeks, and they all thanked God, who works
wonders by His servants.

When the fervent Giovanni and his poor little ones
arrived at Asciano, they preached the Word 'of God
there ; and the people of that place were moved to
such fervour that they blessed him who cried out,
"Glory to Christ crucified;" and they were so greatly
and miraculously inflamed with love, that it was a
marvellous sight to behold. The above-mentioned
poor ones, and certain from Montalcino, who had
followed them, lodged with the Brothers Minor, who
entertained them most hospitably, and could not
make enough of them. Amongst others of that place
who were converted to Christ was one Girolamo,
who became one of his most earnest companions.
He was a man of great intellect and great peni-

WHAT HE DID AT ASCIANO. 49

tence, of holy life and doctrine, and was often rapt
in ecstasy.

Another time, when Giovanni, the man of God, was
passing near Asciano, to avoid walking on the Sunday
they remained in Asciano on Saturday (which is the
festival* of our Lady) and the day following, and
lodged at the house of James Messer Grifolo, who
showed them much kindness. And there came Barna
from Montecchiello, bringing him a letter from
Francis. When the zealous John had read it, he left
the house in great fervour of spirit, and he and the
above-named Barna went about the place and neigh
bourhood, praising God with great gladness, so that
the loving Giovanni said he then experienced sweeter
sensations than he had ever before felt.

* La festivitu.

50 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XVII.

An Exhortation to Holy Poverty by the Blessed
Giovanni.

JIOVANNI, the poor little one of Christ, said :
'•" Give yourselves to Christ without measure,
and despise everything else, for time is short, and
we may not have long to stay here, and blessed are
those who love Christ unsparingly. He who loves
anything, except in God, that very thing prevents his
loving God, and obscures his intellect; for just as
anything we put over our bodily eyes hinders our
seeing, so do the things we love out of God destroy
our union with Him, and shut out the light of the
truth of Jesus Christ. Holy poverty empties the
soul of earthly cares and affections, and of all created
things ; and the soul thus lightened, when touched by
God, is easily turned to contemplation of Him, and
meditation on the Holy Passion of Jesus Christ. It
feeds on, and takes pleasure in these things, lamenting

EXHORTATION TO HOLY POVERTY. 51

the time formerly misspent, and offences committed
against God, and is anxious by penance to take
vengeance on itself in every possible way ; desiring
to be humble and patient, and very charitable to
wards all creatures, for the love of God ; hating and
despising itself, and being ready to suffer insult, tor
ment, or persecution, knowing God's goodness and
its own vileness and misery. Know, my brothers,
that Jesus Christ wishes you to be zealous lovers of
holy poverty, and to embrace it heartily ; to avoid,
as you would poison, appropriating anything to
yourselves, for the devil will try to make you say, even
of a little thing, " This is mine." Do not be too
burdensome to people, for that is neither pleasing to
God or them ; and keep holy poverty clean and pure,
not spoiling or corrupting it, for it is the foundation
on which all virtues are built, and the nurse of
humility ; therefore, as we have no merit of our
own, but the merit of holy poverty, we have no desire
for the state or riches of the Emperor. "Poverty!
poverty ! " he cried out, fervently, " thy language is
not understood. May holy poverty live in our
hearts ! "

52 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XVIII.

Of two Miracles which befell the Blessed Giovanni.

|NE day, when Giovanni and Francesco were tra
velling with their poor brothers, on reaching
Torraniere, one of the company fell sick, so that he
could not eat. Then Giovanni went to him, and tried
to comfort him, asking him if he had an appetite for
anything in particular. "I fancy nothing," said the
sick man, "but a little lettuce salad: if I had that,
I think I should be cured." Upon this, the charitable
Giovanni went into the garden and looked about care
fully for lettuces, but could not find any, and not
knowing what to do, for the sick man's longing was
great, he had recourse to Divine aid; and kneeling
down in the garden, he prayed God to provide for the
comfort of his poor one. When he had finished his
prayer, he saw before him a beautiful lettuce, and
taking it, he returned thanks, and joyfully bore it to
the invalid, who on eating it with an appetite was
quickly healed of his sickness.

TWO MIRACLES WHICH BEFELL GIOVANNI. 53

Another time, when Giovanni, the lover of Christ,
was walking with his devout brothers, they came to
a large meadow, which was very full of flowers. His
companions, being seized with sudden fervour of
spirit, took hold of Giovanni, laid him on the ground,
and very soon covered him with so many flowers,
that he was completely hidden from view. After he
had been a little while in that position they began
to uncover him, and on removing the flowers from
his face, it appeared so glorious and shining, that
they could hardly bear the sight, and by degrees the
splendour faded away.

54 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XIX.

An Exhortation to Patience by the Blessed Giovanni.

|HE fervent Giovanni said: "Let us rekindle
our love in the burning charity of Jesus
Christ; let us fully believe that as yet we have done
no good thing, and bravely and earnestly begin again,
waking up as the plants do, and preparing to bring
forth much and holy fruit ; and with all humility,
and for love of Christ, let us be patient with all men
and under all adversities. God sends consolations
and afflictions to the soul, that it may be benefited
in all ways, just as the wise man is as glad of the
frost in January as of the heat in May, knowing that
the corn takes root beneath the ice. Therefore, do
not be frightened at temptations, which are the life
and crown of the soul : rather let us look for them
cheerfully, and bear them bravely. Gold is refined
and perfected in the fire, so let us rejoice at every
tribulation, suffering, or temptation."

EXHORTATION TO PATIENCE. 55

In fervour of spirit he said: "He who refuses
to fight is already beaten ; he who fights bravely is
almost conqueror : therefore let us take up arms, and
fight boldly for the Cross of Christ, always invoking
His aid."

Once when John, the servant of God, had gone to
Colombajo with his poor brothers, to visit that devout
place, and the Brothers Minor there, it happened that
a leaden pipe fell upon the head of his dear com
panion Giovanni d'Ambrogio, and he lost about ten
pounds of blood. It was next to impossible that his
natural strength should survive such a blow, but by
the intercession of John, the man of God, he was
miraculously healed.

Again, when the charitable Giovanni was at Siena,
he heard that his friend and neighbour, Ludovico di
Nodclo of the Malescotti, was very ill, and at death's
door, so he went to visit him. On his arrival he
began to comfort him, beseeching him to have hope
in Jesus Christ, and put his trust in God for help.
" But what hope can I have ? " said Ludovico : " you
see that I am dying, I cannot live, and even now can
hardly speak."

Giovanni answered him compassionately, and said,
" Believe me, thou shalt recover, and not die of this

56 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

sickness ; and I tell thee further, thou shalt yet have a
son." Ludovico could not believe it, but it happened
as Giovanni had foretold, for he was cured of his sick
ness, and he afterwards had a son, to whom he gave
the name of Agnolo.

The humble Giovanni said to his beloved brothers :
" The Holy Gospel says if the grain of wheat does not
die in the ground, it will not bear fruit. So must
we die to the world, if we wish to bear fruit to God.
Let us then forsake the world : you know Christ did
not pray for the world, because it hated Him. There
fore if we wish Christ to love us, let us hate the
world, with all its honours and everything belonging
to it. Let us partake of the shame of Jesus Christ,
and desire death with Him, being willing to shed our
blood for Him, as He did for us." In fervour of
spirit, he said : " I recommend Christ to you, who
is neglected a thousand times more than you think.
Christ is so neglected that the way of perfection and
virtue is looked upon as a dream ; and it seems
to me that he who loves Christ ought to dress in sad
colours, weep, and die of grief. Let him therefore
who loves Christ mourn and weep, for even a felon
would not be treated as our Lord Jesus Christ is
treated : therefore, my Lord being so neglected, I

EXHORTATION TO PATIENCE. 57

would willingly die to everything, if by any pain or
poverty I could recover His lost honour. It is such
pain and grief to me not to hear the Blessed Christ
spoken of as He should be, that I can hardly contain
myself, and am ready to die ; and if you knew
what I know by experience, you would never cease
to love Him, or to speak of Him by day and night.
Pray to God for me that my wish may be granted;
namely, that I may see and hear this loudly pro
claimed all over the world, ' All Glory to Christ
Crucified ! ' and then may God do what He wills
with me.

58 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XX.

Hoiv, owing to the Malice of some, they were Banished
from Siena.

JOW as the said servants of God were increasing
in number and merit, and growing in grace
and virtue before God and man, the enemy of man
kind, being envious at seeing so many souls enter the
way of salvation, made use of the tongues of certain
murmurers, who wickedly persuaded the twelve lords
of Siena then in power, that Giovanni Colombini and
Francesco Vincenti, the leaders of the poor ones of
Jesus Christ, should be banished beyond their territory,
fearing the injury and depopulation of the city from
the multitude of people who left the world (which
they thought they were chiefly bound to serve). So
Giovanni and Francesco were commanded under pain
of death to leave the city before a little lighted candle,
which was carried to the gate, should be burnt out.
Joyfully did the servants of God receive this sentence

BANISHMENT FROM SIENA. 59

of banishment, knowing, as the Apostle said, that
here they had no abiding city, but they sought that
one eternal in the heavens, from which they could
not be banished, unless they frowardly rebelled
against Christ; and so, rejoicing at their persecution
for righteousness' sake, and singing and shouting for
joy, they left Siena and went to Arezzo. But no
sooner were they gone, than the sky grew dark, and
there came a heavy thunderstorm, and with it such
rain and hail, that people thought it was the end of the
world. At the same time also a great many of the
Siennese were stricken with fever. Upon this mira
culous wonder, the twelve lords released Giovanni
and Francesco from their banishment, and restored
them to their former position, sending to ask their
pardon, and praying them to return to Siena.

60 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XXL

What the Blessed Giovanni did at Arezzo.

JOW the servants of God, Giovanni and Fran
cesco, with twenty-five of their companions,
having arrived at Arezzo, and entering the city
singing and praising Jesus Christ, all the country
was moved to see and hear them; and preaching
there the Word of God, they gained great fruit there,
so that hundreds of sinners, who had lived many
years without confession, repented of their sins,
and confessed themselves. By the admonition of
these servants of God, many who had been robbed
of their good name, or their possessions, obtained
restitution, many enmities were extinguished, and
some deadly quarrels appeased, and these men were
universally held in great reverence and esteem. Not
only the citizens, but many people from the sur
rounding country, came to listen to the salutary ex
hortations and good advice of these poor for Jesus
Christ.

WHAT GIOVANNI DID AT AREZZO. 61

At that time Yanni of Montecchiello fell sick at
the monastery of Santa Bonda, where the said poor
ones resided; and perceiving his sickness was in
creasing, he was very anxious to see Giovanni, his
father in Christ, hefore he died : and he so urgently
entreated his poor companions, that, moved by
charity, they bore him to Arezzo in a litter. They
entered the city by night (for the gates were left
open, owing to the multitude of country people who
were coming or going), and in the suburbs and the
streets they met a great many people with lights in
their hands, who were returning from hearing Gio
vanni preach. On inquiring for him, they were told
that he lodged with a company of secular Flagellants,
but it would be almost impossible to speak to him,
because of the number of people who were about him.
Nevertheless, they went to the said fraternity, and
spoke to some of the brothers, saying, "We have
brought Vanni here, who is ill, and wishes to see
Giovanni, our father." They replied, "It would be
impossible at present, but let us put him in the
room where Giovanni sleeps, so that at least, when
he goes to bed, he may see him, and we will do
our best to inform him of the matter ; " and so they
did. But when the charitable Giovanni heard that

62 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

his friend Vanni, whom he greatly loved, was lying
there ill, he said, "Tell him to wait patiently, while
I send away this company; " and having very gently
ordered every one to return home, he said, " Where
is my Vanni ? " and they led him to him. When
Giovanni, the man of God, saw him lying on the bed,
he began to comfort him with very soothing words,
and, constrained by charity, he took off his cloak and
laid it upon Vanni, who, as soon as the cloak touched
him, felt quite well ; and, entirely cured of his sick
ness, he rose from the bed, and he and his com
panions heartily thanked God for the new blessing
of this miraculous cure.

CHAPTEE XXII.
An Exhortation to Humility by the Blessed Giovanni.

I HE humble Giovanni said to his beloved
brothers : " God has sown in us the seed of
good works, and therefore if this seed should spring
up, increase and multiply, we must not glory in it,
for it is not our own, and we cannot bear any fruit
of ourselves ; but let us glory in Jesus Christ, who
is our true glory. The better the seed that is sown
in us, and the better fruit we bear, so much the
more do we owe to the Sower — that is, God; and
the more we increase in good works, the greater is
our obligation to the good and gracious God, because
by ourselves we can do nothing. Therefore, if any
virtue grows in us, that of humility ought to increase
above all, for the more grace we have, the more will
be expected of us. Great is our debt, and quite* un
able are we to pay it. We must be careful to call
ourselves only unprofitable servants ; and so indeed
* Poverissimi.

64 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

we are, for it is only by grace that we receive grace.
We have good cause for weeping, and for thinking
whether even the soldiers may not rise in judgment
against us; and I doubt not that if God had given
them half the help He has to us, they would have
done far more than we have. Alas ! I am full of fear,
and I think rightly so ; for if the receiving of heavenly
gifts entitled one to eternal life, who ever deserved it
more than Solomon ? God was so pleased by his pray
ing for wisdom, that He gave more to him than to any
other man in the world. He built His holy temple,
and was endued with great wisdom, so that he was
enabled to perceive that everything belonging to the
world was " vanity of vanities ; " and yet, notwith
standing all this, S. Augustine believes that he is
damned. Also, how many there have been who had
great spiritual knowledge, some who have been
gifted with learning, some with prophecy, some with
working of miracles, and they are now in hell !
because in virtue only, and in doing the will of God,
lies our happiness and our safety. He is not God's
friend who only thinks of Him, but he who follows
up that thought by virtuous living ; because to whom
Christ gives much, of him wiU He ask the more :
therefore, the servant who knows his Lord's will, and

EXHORTATION TO HUMILITY. 65

does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. For
these reasons, I think that pride, not thanking God
for His blessings, and not being in charity with
all men, destroys every other good gift we may
possess.

66 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTER XXIII.
What the Blessed Giovanni did in the City of Castello.

JFTEE spending some days in Arezzo, and
gaining much fruit there, the Blessed Gio
vanni and his poor companions departed, and went
towards the city of Castello. And when they were
near it, they saw a peasant, called Santi, ploughing
his field, to whom Giovanni, the man of God, called
with a loud voice, telling him to follow Christ ; upon
which he left the oxen and the plough, and went with
Giovanni, and never returned to his husbandry. He
was a very charitable, holy man, and often had beau
tiful visions of angels. Entering Castello, the Blessed
Giovanni and his fervent brothers went first to the
principal church, as their custom was, and on their
way, in the street of the Tartarini, they met Benedetto
di Pace, the Bishop's notary, and Giovanni looking
on him, and being assured by the Spirit of his salva
tion, said to him suddenly, " Come with me, thou ill-
living old man ; leave the world, and follow Christ."
Benedetto (the grace of God converting him) irnme-

GIOVANNI IN THE CITY OF CASTELLO. 67

diately accompanied Giovanni, and afterwards became
one of his poor brothers. After saying their prayers
in the Duomo, they went about the place, praising
Jesus Christ, and exhorting all persons to turn to
God, and be converted ; so that the whole city was
moved to exclaim, " Praised be Jesus Christ, blessed
be the Name of Christ." And very many men and
women, seeing the fervour of the Blessed Giovanni
and his companions, and hearing their holy exhor
tations, were converted, and became true penitents.
Amongst others who forsook the world, and joined
the poor ones of Jesus Christ, was one called Stefano,
a man of rare intellect, who became a devoted servant
of God ; and another called Bartoluccio di Santi, who
was so inflamed with Divine love, that whenever he
heard any one speaking earnestly of God, he could
not remain quiet. To mention one instance. One day,
when he was listening with other citizens to a sermon
in the Church of San Fiordo in that city, such fervour
was kindled in him that he could no longer contain
the ardour of his spirit : he ran out of the church, and
leapt into the square, without touching any of the
church steps. Many times against his will he made
the bystanders laugh with astonishment. The said
Bartoluccio, Giovanni di Jacopo, and another of the

6*

68 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

principal inhabitants of the place, called Gliingo,
showed much kindness to the poor brothers.

They were also favourably received by Messer
Buccio, the Bishop of that city, a very kind-hearted
man ; and he grew so fond of the Blessed Giovanni
and his companions, that he was on the most friendly
and intimate terms with them ; and he thought that
to be a member of their company was better than
even the pontifical dignity; so he joined them, and
they regarded him as their beloved father. The
Blessed Giovanni, perceiving that Messer Buccio was
most strictly conscientious, and learned in canoni
cal law, and remembering that Domenico di Mon-
tecchiello had advised them, for the better security
of their congregation, to obtain Apostolic sanction,
asked the said Bishop if what they were doing was
contrary to any decree, or could be deemed suspicious
in any way, and if he thought they ought to apply to
the Cardinal, who was then the Legate at Yiterbo, for
a license. He replied that they did nothing which
was against rule, or could be thought so, therefore he
did not think it necessary for them to ask for sanction :
they were poor, simple, and pure-minded men, with
no earthly cares, and so they might safely leave all in
God's hands. These words of His good vicar, the

GIOVANNI IN THE CITY OF CASTELLO. 69

Canonist, comforted them greatly, and the Blessed
Giovanni was much pleased by them ; and as the said
Bishop was of holy life and doctrine, these poor ones
always asked his advice on all important matters, and
to his death he continued their zealous and loving
friend ; and not he alone, but all the bishops of that
province were their great benefactors and protectors.
The charity of these soldiers of Jesus Christ was so
great, that finding a great sinner in the city who would
not repent, the Blessed Giovanni, being very anxious
for his salvation, said to him, "If thou wilt forsake
thy sins, I will give thee all my merits, and every
good thing I have ever done ; " and the ardent
Francesco said to him, "And I will gladly take all
the sins thou hast committed on myself, if thou wilt
truly turn to God;" each of them making him these
offers from his heart. And this sinner (the grace of
God and their good counsel aiding him) became a
true penitent.

I must not omit to mention three beneficial works
which were done by these poor for Jesus' sake, early
in Lent, before they left that place. First, they ac
cepted and received two men into their company. One
was Perugino, who had been a bad man, the other was
a secular priest : he had been a proud and wicke 1

70 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

man, but he gave up a good benefice and did
much penance. Second, the before-named Benedetto
di Pace, much to the satisfaction of the Blessed
Giovanni and his companions, placed his niece with
the sisters of the convent Del Sacco. Up to that
time these sisters had each kept her own possessions
to herself, but from that day, by the grace of God
and the good advice of the poor ones of Jesus Christ,
six of the richest of them began to live in common,
refusing to call anything their own. The third thing
worthy of remembrance was that, owing to the gentle
and peaceful words of the merciful Giovanni and his
brothers, a citizen of Siena, of the noble house of
Tolomei, called Lariiio, who, out of devotion to the
Blessed Giovanni, had accompanied him from Arezzo
to Castello, did, in the presence of the above-named
Bishop, make peace with, and fully pardon, three of
the family of the Piccoluomini, for the murder of his
uncle, Meo di Larino Tolomeo. A thousand florins
could not have bought this peace. The charitable
Giovanni sent the public announcement of it to Siena,
with a loving and tender epistle to these three Picco
luomini, and by this action he not only made peace
between these two families, but brought about their
friendship.

CHAPTEK XXIV.

An Exhortation to Holy Living by the Blessed
Giovanni.

|lTH great fervour Giovanni said to bis
brothers : " Let us, dearly beloved, mourn
and weep, and take bitter vengeance on ourselves; '
for if we were guilty of no other sin but that of in
gratitude, and of despising and almost refusing God
(who, whether we will or no, gives Himself to us,
while we, proud, ungrateful wretches that we are,
wanting in faith and ardour, receive this immeasur
able gift with irreverence and coldness, and keep it
carelessly), we ought to seek to die for Him a thou
sand times, if such were possible. We ought, all of
us, to be lion-hearted, ready to endure anything for
the love of Christ crucified, and if this were our will,
other things would be of little importance. It is our
duty to exercise ourselves in holy desire and fervent
prayer, even with a loud voice ; and in all holy

72 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

virtues, especially in perfect love to God and our
neighbour, and holy humility. Therefore, my dear
brethren, since the Lord has called and chosen us
to a higher degree of perfection, we are bound to do
everything as perfectly as possible, that we may not
be reproached as liars or deceivers : but, above all,
let us act so that our light may shine, and give forth
bright rays, that our Heavenly Father may be
honoured in us, and that by our good example, many,
forsaking their sins, may return into the way of
truth, together with us honouring our Lord Jesus
Christ : and doing this with purity and charity, we
shall live happily and in the joy of the Holy Ghost,
and continue in this to a happy death, which will lead
us to true and everlasting life."

These poor ones of Jesus Christ went to a village
on the mountain of Siena, called Arcidosso, where
they gained much fruit. Among those of that place
who were converted to God, was one called Giusto,
who became an ardent follower of Giovanni, the man
of God, in the way of holy poverty. He led a very
strict life, and always slept on the bare ground or
on a plank.

And thus these servants of God went about the
cities and villages, preaching the Name of Jesus

EXHORTATION TO HOLY LIVING. 73

Christ. Not once only did they visit the places
mentioned, but they often returned, both to encourage
their companions who lived there (for they did not
all preach) in the service of God, and also to exhort
sinners again to repentance. They most frequently
lodged with the secular Flagellants, because these
confraternities of the discipline showed them much
kindness.

74 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTER XXV.

Of some Miracles icorked ~by the Blessed Giovanni.

INGE, when Giovanni, the servant of Christ,
was at Montalcino, he thought of his first
companion, Francesco Vincenti, who was then at
Siena, and who now never cut his hair or his nails,
or shaved his beard, so that he looked like a wild
man ; and the Blessed Giovanni thinking this a useless
penance, he was allowed, by God's will, to appear to
Francesco in a dream, telling him that severity to
the body was pleasing to God, but not too great
austerity of life, and that this singularity was very
dangerous ; and on waking in the morning, and con
sidering his dream, Francesco immediately shaved
his beard, and cut his hair and nails. After this,
Giovanni, the man of God, wrote to Siena, saying :
' ' Tell Francesco that he has done well to obey;"

MIRACLES WORKED BY GIOVANNI. 75

at which he was much astonished, for he had not
told any one of the vision.

Nor can I by any means keep silence about a
wonderful miracle worked by our Lord Jesus Christ,
to show the holy doctrine and life of His most devoted
servant, Giovanni ; which is, that once, while the
Blessed Giovanni and some of his poor companions
were talking earnestly, round a great fire, about the
edification of souls, one of them, being tempted by the
devil, contradicted, and spoke rudely; so Giovanni,
the man of God, commanded him to be silent, and
ordered him by holy obedience to put his head under
the burning logs which were on the hearth. He,
being sorry for his presumptuous words, implicitly
obeying his holy father, laid his head directly under
the burning wood, and kept it there till Giovanni, the
servant of God, gave him leave to remove it. What
I shall relate is very wonderful, but yet true. When
this poor obedient man stood up, not only was his
head not burnt, but not a single hair was injured ;
and all the bystanders, astonished at such a grand
miracle, and perceiving the sanctity of their master
and father, never dared afterwards to contradict him
in the least thing. Amongst those present was the
before-mentioned Vanni of Montecchiello, who sur-

76 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

vived Giovanni, the man of God, more than forty
years, and who often related this miracle with great
devotion, and also the gift of holiness which he
received at Arezzo, by virtue of the power of the
Blessed Giovanni.

CHAPTEE XXVI.

A Discourse on Humility by the Blessed Giovanni.
HE humble Giovanni said: "The Blessed

Jesus Christ is the only one who can set
us free from the many and great struggles which we
all have to maintain in our journey through this short
life. They are so frequent, that our strength would
utterly fail if it were not for the pitying help of our
merciful and tender Father ; and this we need, not
only on rare occasions, and in great dangers, but
hourly, and on the least occasion. And we require
to be not only helped, but almost forcibly held and
borne up, for if the good God let go His Hand from
us, wre should soon fall into every sort of wretched
ness. Therefore, if we see that without His continual
support we cannot stand upright, but fallin to great
gin, what shall we say of any virtue that we prac
tise, be it one or many, great or small ? Should
we wish, or ought we to glory in ourselves, as if

78 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

our virtue was our own ? Let us not on this score
become proud or presumptuous, despising others and
exalting ourselves. I think we should be worthy of
double condemnation, if, while receiving great bless
ings and gifts from God and Jesus Christ, we should
become less holy, or fail in the virtue of humility:
hence, the upright proud man is more displeasing to
Him than the humble sinner. Therefore, my dear
brethren, the more we have of Divine light and
grace, the more clearly shall we perceive our misery
and frailty, for we shall see that our actions fall far
short of our duty. In short, the more we by God's
grace draw nigh to Him with holy virtues, so much
the more shall we be illuminated, and the better we
shall know that He is the Author of all goodness and
strength, and we are utterly vile and weak."

CHAPTEK XXVII.

Of it-hat more befell the Blessed Giovanni at Arezzo.
NOTHEE time, when the very ardent Giovanni

returned to Arezzo with some of his poor
ones, they passed the night in a hospital belonging to
the Eremitani brothers, the governor of which was
a very good man, who showed much hospitality to
pilgrims, especially to religious. When the hour of
rest came, the Blessed Giovanni, being fatigued in
body and mind, unfastened the coat that covered his
chest, in order to lie down on one of the beds. As
soon as it was opened, such a brilliant light shone
from that holy breast, that the hospital at night was
as light as at noon-day, and the brightness was so
great, that the bystanders could not in any way bear
to look upon that holy breast.

Once Giovanni, the charitable, and some of his poor
brothers, were spending the evening of the Carnival
in the same house, and cold meat soaked in vinegar

SO LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

was provided for their supper ; upon which one of the
poor brothers, moved by his love for the Blessed
Giovanni, said, " There is one here who has a weak
stomach, and much vinegar is hurtful to him."
When they were all at table, before they began to eat,
Giovanni, the man of God, being kindled by Divine
fire, began to speak earnestly of the love of God, and
how Divine love warms not the soul only, but some
times the body also; and he grew so animated in his
talk, that they spent the whole night in these holy
discourses. When these poor ones of Jesus Christ
saw that the morning was come, without having had
any supper, they went to church, to cast ashes on
their heads.

CHAPTEE XXVIII.

An Exhortation on Loving God and our Neighbour ly
the Blessed Giovanni.

JIOVANNI, inspired with love, said: "Let us,
my beloved brethren, renew holy ardour and
desire in ourselves ; and although we are much to be
blamed for the time we have lost, let us not be too
much occupied with that thought, lest we should 'fall
into despair; but rather let us go confidently to our
good Jesus, and ask, like one who did so formerly,
which are the commandments most pleasing to Him ;
and He will answer and say to us, ' Love me above
all things, with all your heart, with all your strength,
with all the powers of your mind and body ; ' and then,
' For the love I bear to you, love your neighbour as
yourselves.' These words, so sweet and dear, you
must know are part of life eternal, and the witness of
them in ourselves is the love and charity we bear to
wards each other. Who then can say that he loves

7

82 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

his neighbour far off, if he does not love his brother
at his side? And if thou sayest, 'He has faults,'
consider in thyself whether thou hast not as many :
if thou lookest carefully, thou shalt find much greater
in thyself. Therefore, my dear brethren, love each
other with love kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit;
speak, each of you, that which will give glory to God
and spiritual consolation to your fathers and brothers;
let the elder reprove and correct the younger com
passionately, and with paternal love, and the younger
meekly take whatever chastisement is given to them.
Also be more tender and respectful, one with the
other, and strive to pray to God more for each other;
so you will all be holy, wise, and kind, and your lives
will be full of happiness. Eejoice in God, that He
may. rejoice in you. The time for our work is very
short, and the reward is beyond all measure ; and even
if our life were long, still it is better to live in the joy
of holiness than in the remorse and pain which are
caused by sin."

CHAPTEE XXIX.

How the Blessed Giovanni Established a Convent for
Women.

IN the return of the Blessed Giovanni to Siena,
he felt more and more strongly that a life of
entire poverty was the most sure way of salvation, so
he tried to establish this most salutary rule amongst
women also. And thinking that a relation of his,
called Caterina, daughter of Tommaso Colombini,
his father Pietro's brother, was a fit person to begin
such an order, because she was of good understand
ing, he tried as much as possible to persuade her to
choose this life ; and so he often talked to her about
the edification of the soul and the great treasures of
virtue, and especially of the merits and blessings of
deep poverty. But she could not bear to hear the
name of poverty, still less would she consent to
accept such a rule of life, for she was rich, and
delicately brought up. Yet she was a virgin, and did

7 *

84 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

not wish to marry. Giovanni, the man of God, was
not a little grieved at this, and he often prayed to
Jesus Christ, that He would be pleased so to touch
her heart as to incline her to holy poverty. And so
it pleased God to do ; for Giovanni, the charitable,
being one evening at home with his wife, he called
Caterina, who lived close to them, to a window which
overlooked their house, and asked her what she was
doing, and whether she was going to say her prayers ;
and she replied, " To say the truth, I am just going to
bed, and you see that the lamp in my hand is just
refilled for that purpose." And Giovanni, in his
ardour, again began exhorting her to renounce the
world entirely, with all its false pleasures, and to be
come a lover of Jesus Christ and His holy virtues,
especially that of holy poverty; showing her by many
arguments, authorities, and examples, that whoever
trusts in God, and with all his heart places his hope
in Him, is never forsaken in his need ; that as even
the birds of the air are cared for by Jesus Christ,
much more so are the creatures He has redeemed by
His precious Blood. Amongst other examples, he told
her of the widow in the time of Elisha the prophet,
whose pot of oil was multiplied by God ; and he
added, " In the same way, God can cause this light

HE ESTABLISHES A CONVENT FOR WOMEN. 85

not to go out, as He lias already done to many saints."
Caterina listened most attentively to these burning
words, which, Giovanni perceiving, he continued the
whole night talking with her of the very great bless
ings of holy poverty, and of the many virtues and
graces which are gained by it. But God having
already begun to soften her heart, she did not perceive
that the night was passing away, and the morning
dawned upon this holy conversation. When the
Blessed Giovanni saw that the sun had risen, he said
to her, " Go and lie down ; " and she, turning to de
part, perceived that daylight was entering by the win
dows, and said with the greatest astonishment, "It is
broad daylight ! " But Giovanni, the servant of God,
replied, " How can it be daylight? See your lamp, it
is still full." And looking at the light which she had
held in her hand all the time, and seeing that it had
not grown dim, she understood that the merciful God
had worked a miracle in proof of the wholesome
words of the Blessed Giovanni ; and being converted
by the will of Jesus Christ, and the assurance of this
miracle, she said to Giovanni, the man of God, " My
father, from this hour do what you will, for I am re
solved, by God's help, to do all to His honour." And
together with some ladies who had also been persuaded

86 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

by the holy words of the Blessed Giovanni to devote
themselves to Jesus Christ, she began to dress as a
poor person, and to beg her bread, for the love of God.
And so proceeding in the love of holy poverty and
other virtues, by her holy life and doctrine she helped
to turn women to repentance ; following her friend
and father Giovanni, with some other ladies, in the
company and under the care of the older poor ones
of Jesus Christ. Amongst others of that place who
were converted to Christ, and became companions of
the devout Caterina, was a young woman called
Giovanna, daughter of Francesco dei Malescotti, and
another called Petra, daughter of one named Petro,
who was himself afterwards a brother of the magnifi
cent hospital in that town. Also Francesca d'Ambrogio
d'Agnolo, sister of Giovanni d'Ambrogio, who has
been so often mentioned in these pages, and Andrea,
who was one of the first to begin this life in Florence.
They were also joined by Simona, daughter of Eistoro
of Fazio di Gallerani, who, after the death of those
above named, was left head and guide to all the
others. Her heart was on fire with charity, and by
her holy example and her wholesome words she drew
many into their poor company. They all gave them
selves to mental prayer, holy reading, and useful

HE ESTABLISHES A CONVENT FOR WOMEN. 87

occupations, working with their own hands; and
what they wanted for their support they begged, for
the love of God. They went barefoot, clad in coarse
undyed cloth, their heads covered with a piece of
linen ; and when the younger ones went out seeking
alms, they were always accompanied by one of the
elder sisters : they walked with downcast eyes, and
were never out long at one time. Thus they all lived
together at first in Caterina's house.

88 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XXX.

Exhortations to love Christ.

Addressed to the Sisters of his Company by the Blessed
Giovanni.

jIOVANNI, the charitable, said to the ardent
Caterina, and the sisters belonging to the
company of poor ones of Jesus Christ : " Dearest
sisters, my desire is that Christ may be glorified, and
that each one of you may be His holy, true, and faith
ful spouse and handmaiden, a temple and tabernacle
where He may rest. Prepare for Him a furnished
chamber, that is, a pure heart, adorned with virtues,
and the unruffled bed of holy love. Learn how to love,
dear sisters, and feed on love. She who loves not Jesus
Christ is not alive, but dead, for love is the true life
of the soul : the soul which loves fears nothing, but
that which loves not is very sad and desponding of
her salvation. Eemember, my beloved, if you would
be heirs of Christ, keep His commandment of love,

EXHORTATIONS TO LOVE CHRIST. 89

which was the Testament He left us. He did not lay
many burdens upon us, but one only, and that is
love. He who has love has Christ Himself, who is the
fire of love, and possessing Him, he possesses all vir
tues. No one can really love his neighbour if he is
not filled with the true love of God and Christ. The
direct way of approaching Him is by holy contem
plation, which can only be reached by the ladder of
love. Love begets love, and it is attained by ardent
and holy desire. Flee then to the mount of holy
contemplation, on which is a lofty rock, where you
need fear no enemies ; not even the strongest can
come there, where all is light, not darkness : on that
rock is safety without fear. Eetire to the recesses of
your own consciences, and close the door against evil
thoughts, which are like fierce and savage beasts ;
then enter into the caverns and secret places of pure
and holy desires, and meditate on the great God, and
His only-begotten Son, His holy Passion, His great
and excellent gifts, and those unspeakable blessings,
the mere recollection of which overpowers the soul
with love. Therefore, my beloved mothers, sisters,
and daughters in Christ, rouse yourselves to holy and
zealous deeds and words ; be, all of you, satiated,
burning, and radiant with love ; love each other with

90 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

perfect charity, flee from sin, and from every person
or thing which may turn you from holy love, hut seek
and make use of every person or thing which may
help you to it. Be also wise and prudent, and do not
suffer yourselves to take offence at anything, hut he
patient under every trial, for patience is the hest evi
dence of your love to Christ.

"How many saints have heen glad to he accounted
fools for the sake of this love : how many have
cheerfully waited for death under every form of suffer
ing. Let your whole hearts he set on seeking Jesus
Christ, and I must tell you you will not find Him hy
going from church to church, or by wandering about
the world, but by continuing steadfast in prayer, holy
conversation, and good thoughts. Let each, as a
loving spouse of Jesus Christ, give her dear Husband
and Lord the honour due unto Him. If an earthly
wife obeys, honours, and strives to please her husband,
how much more should the wife of the Heavenly
Spouse? Do not seek to obey or love Him a little,
but rather try how much honour and worship you can
offer to Him. Jesus Christ, your Spouse, wishes for
two especial honours from you: first, that you should
be humble and full of charity ; second, that forsaking
all worldly affections, and being loosened from every

EXHORTATIONS TO LOVE CHRIST.

earthly tie, you should often in contemplation fly
heavenwards, and there feed, still keeping His holy
Passion in remembrance, for that is the right gate
and direct road to the vision of God. If you persevere
in the love of Jesus Christ, and the practice of virtue,
everything that you devoutly ask of your Spouse will
he granted to you, according to His promise to those
who ask in faith."

92 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XXXI.

What the Blessed Giovanni did for the Convent of
Santa Bonda.

IHEN the Blessed Giovanni by his holy exhor-
' tations, added to the wisdom and discretion of
Donna Paula, daughter of Ghmo Foresi, Abbess of the
above-mentioned Convent of Santa Bonda, had in
duced all the nuns to live in common, they having at
first retained their own property, he persuaded many
citizens of Siena to place their daughters there, and
advised many young women to maintain holy virginity,
and become the spouses of Jesus Christ; and many
in the convent, especially his own relations, became
nuns, owing to his persuasive words. One Palm
Sunday five girls of noble birth were taken there by
the ardent Giovanni, bearing olive garlands on their
heads, and branches of olive in their hands. The
daughter of Francesco Vincenti, whose name was
Giovanna, when she became a nun was called Sister

WHAT HE DID FOR THE CONVENT OF SANTA BONDA. 93

Francesca. In the thirteenth year of her age, having
been professed in the order, her spirit returned to God.
Agnola, the daughter of the Blessed Giovanni, received
in the convent the name of Sister Maddalena, in
honour of S. Mary Magdalene, for whom the loving
Giovanni had an especial devotion ; and within a year
after she entered the convent she also went to God.

When the very devout Giovanni lived in Siena,
he often visited the Convent of Santa Bonda, not only
for the purpose of exhorting the nuns to persevere in
God's holy service, hut also for the sake of the conso
lation he derived from the odour of their very great
virtues, for the great God endued them with so much
light and grace, that they were esteemed the holiest
nuns in all Italy; so much so, that the Blessed
Giovanni affirmed that Christ and a multitude of
angels lived in the convent ; and many signs of this
were given, of which I will only relate one. One
night, when Ambrogio, one of Giovanni's companions,
was near the place, at the house where they lodged
strangers, he distinctly heard a host of demons leave
the convent, with much noise and lamentation, like
an army discomfited and routed ; and this defeat, the
Blessed Giovanni said, was a sign that Christ abode
amongst them, on account of the virtues, especially

94 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

the great love and charity, which they possessed.
Giovanni, the man of God, was so impressed by the
sanctity of the Abbess and the other nuns, that when
he went to visit them, he often shed tears of devotion
the whole way from the gate of the city to the con
vent. And once, when he was talking to the Abbess
at the gate, of the most holy charity and sweet love
of Jesus Christ, and the unspeakable gifts and graces
which He grants to all who serve Him faithfully, they
were so inflamed by this Divine converse, that,
without being aware of it, they spent the whole
night in that employment. The Blessed Giovanni
had such faith and trust in this venerable and holy
Abbess, and loved and revered her so much, that he
obeyed her in everything, as he would a spiritual
Father, and wished all his poor companions to do
the same.

CHAPTEK XXXII.
An Exhortation to Patience by the Blessed Giovanni.

IHE Blessed Giovanni said to his much-loved
nuns of Santa Bonda : " Dearest mothers
and sisters in Jesus Christ, let us purge out the old
leaven, that we may be a new paste ; let us humble
ourselves before Christ, turning to Him in ardour and
charity, with consciences purged from sin; let us
break the chains which bind us fast, and hold us
back from Christ ; and in self-abandonment let us de
vote ourselves to Him, Who, for us miserable sinners,
willingly suffered such great and undeserved pains.
In God's Name let us open our eyes and bewail our
misspent time : till now we have only been intent on
receiving good ; henceforth let us think a little what
return we can make. We must be no longer weak
children, but strong men, able to bear any wind
which blows, not troubled or turned from Christ by
any adversity."

In fervour of spirit he added : " Oh ! if we loved

96 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

our true Friend, Jesus Christ, we should for very
fealty be willing to die for Him. Oh ! let us die for
Him who died for us. There is no greater proof of
love than to be ready to die for a friend. If our love
was perfect, we should be more grieved at offending
God than at our own damnation,* because we ought
to love Him better than ourselves. How much then
should we love those who afflict us ! kiss the hands
which strike us ! bless the tongue which curses us !
love him who persecutes us ! One only should we
hate — ourselves — as the worst friend we have. Be-
member what that devout servant of God, S. Fran
cis, said, that ' we ought greatly to love those who
persecute us, because they help us to conquer our
enemy, and beat down our tyrant, i. e., ourselves,
and our own concupiscence.' Oh, wretched man
that I am ! I leave the straight and shortest way, to
wander in crooked and tedious paths. What avails
it, our talking or knowing much about God and
holiness, if we refuse the way that leads to it, and
will not walk therein ? This thought does not allow
me to speak or write with a clear conscience, for the
good opinion of others will not make me, such a sin
ner as I am, the less displeasing to God. Oh, what
* Compare the prayer of St. Gertrude before Communion.

EXHORTATION TO PATIENCE. 97

shall I do ? I shall certainly die if I do not enter on
this way of holiness. I ask you, therefore, dear
spouses and sisters of Jesus Christ, to aid me by
your holy prayers, beseeching God to help me to love
Him in purity and truth, that not only I may hate
myself, but that others may hate me also, that so
I may make some little return for His great love
towards me."

98 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XXXIII.

What the Blessed Giovanni did in the Convent of the
Preaching Friars at Siena.

came once some ambassadors from
Pisa to Siena, who, hearing of this newly-
formed society, wished to show their devotion to its
holy founders, the servants of God, Giovanni and
Francesco, by asking them one day to dine with
them : so these two soldiers of Jesus Christ ac
cepted their charity, and took with them one of
their companions, Cecco, surnamed II Boccia, who
sang many devout hymns, accompanying himself
on a viol ; and after dinner, the ambassadors being
much edified by their conversation and manners,
they all went together to the Convent of Preaching
Friars at Camporeggi, and on their arrival the poor
ones of Jesus Christ sang hymns of praise, according
to their custom, and the twelve brothers gave them
welcome. And it pleased God that the Blessed

WHAT HE DID IN THE CONVENT AT SIENA. 99

Giovanni and his companions should begin so to speak
of that holy truth which gladdens every heart which
thinks and speaks of it, that great desire thereto
was kindled in the hearts of the Friars, and some
wept, and others sighed. Presently, Brother Cristo-
fano Biagi, a man of learning and of good report,
took the Blessed Giovanni into his cell, and at once
gave him everything in it, his hooks, and all his
wearing apparel, except what he had on him. He
emptied the room, till nothing was left but the
mattress, and said Giovanni might give the things
to whom he pleased. These words were not spoken to
deaf ears, for Giovanni and some of the others carried
off all the things, and gave them away for the love
of God. After this, Friar Cristofano, accompanied
by a lay brother, went about the city for two days,
begging bread; and then, as if courting shame and
reproach, he went to the new Abbey, to a certain
brother Pietro, driving an ass before him with a load
of dung, and having a basket full of dung hung round
his neck, and so he went about the streets and
squares, mortifying himself for the love of God.
Furthermore, it pleased God that the charitable
Giovanni and one of his companions, called Am-
brogio, should go and stay with the above-named

100 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

Friars, and they discoursed so forcibly and eloquently
on holy poverty, that by the mercy of Jesus Christ
they were moved to such contrition, that most of
them emptied their cells and gave away all their
goods ; some changed their dress for what was
coarser and thicker; others preached Christ with
marvellous fervour and godly wisdom ; and there
were some amongst them who received such en
lightenment, that their own learning seemed to them
as nothing in comparison with the spiritual light and
truth that burst upon their minds ; others wore very
rough hair shirts. Any one who witnessed the opera
tion of God in that convent would have been struck
with astonishment, and a certain brother, who went
there to mock at them, was smitten by Christ before
he departed. Thus did a desire after holiness increase
in this convent, of which many signs were observed
by people living in the neighbourhood.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

An Exhortation to Conversion by the Blessed Giovanni.

IHEEEUPON the man of God Giovanni said
that the grace of the Lord had come very
near to man, and that Jesus Christ was showering on
the world immeasurable gifts and blessings, especially
in the revival and increase of religious orders and con
fraternities, so that in fervour of spirit he added: "Do
not, my beloved ones, be careless or slothful, but hasten
to meet this great gift of God with boundless charity,*
excessive love, desire after holy poverty, and charity
amongst yourselves ; with joy, gladness and singing,
and hearts emptied of all carnal and worldly affec
tions. Christ never enters the soul that is occupied
with other love than His ; therefore spoil and empty
your hearts, and clothe and fill yourselves with the
dear and blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who, in giving Him
self to you, will impart such delight to your souls that
* Che senta del pazzo.

102 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

they will be warmed and filled with joy unspeakable.
Oh, blessing unperceived, lost and ignored by the
miserable world ! 0 ye blind and most foolish souls,
who will not set yourselves to receive and taste the
sweet and blessed Christ ! Awake, you that sleep !
rise up you that are like the dead ! Christ will awake
all people, inflame the coldest heart, and rekindle
the dying embers. Go forth, then, bravely to the
Blessed Christ, who is hastening to visit you."

CHAPTER XXXV.

Hoiv the Blessed Giovanni and his Brothers went to
Pisa, Lucca, Pistoja, and Florence.

|HE loving Giovanni was so zealous for God's
honour, that when he was preaching the
Divine Word, he feared neither cold, nor heat, nor
storni; and once, in the middle of the winter, when
snow was on the ground, he, not heeding the chil
blains on his feet, went to Pisa with his devoted little
company ; and God worked a special miracle on their
behalf, for as soon as their feet touched the snow,
he and some of the others, who also had bad feet,
were perfectly healed. As they went along they ex
horted sinners to repent, and sang devout hymns.
They took the road which went by the village of
Cigoli, and here with great devotion was exposed a
beautiful picture of our Lady, to whose protection
they all lovingly recommended the venerable sisters
of the before-mentioned Convent of Santa Bonda.

104 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

Another favour which God granted them was this : it
took them nine days to reach Pisa, and though it very
often rained during that time, their cloaks never got
wet, nor did they take cold, or suffer the least incon
venience throughout the journey ; except that the
charitable Giovanni having, more for his brothers'
sake than his own, taken some pitch with him, in
case of insect bites, he was himself stung. So he said
this had happened to him because he had not trusted
in God, and that in future they would carry nothing
whatever with them but the love of God deep down in
their hearts.

In Pisa God so ordered it that they were turned away
from the hospices, in order that the rich and good men
of the place might give them welcome. And so it hap
pened, for a noble and excellent citizen, who had four
sons, distinguished merchants, showed much kind
ness to these poor men, keeping them all the time in
his own house ; and the alms given them were much
more than they wished to receive, so they refused
many offerings of money and clothing. They found
there many virtuous people, both secular and re
ligious, full of great and holy desires ; and they saw,
as people worthy of belief had already told them,
that there were two hundred ladies in the city

WITH HIS BROTHERS AT PISA, ETC.

105

who wore very rough hair garments, also many
gentlemen who used much self-mortification. Ac
cording to their custom, they went about the city,
publicly preaching the salvation of souls, exhorting
persons in general and in particular to practise holi
ness and forsake sin; in this way giving much honour
and glory to Jesus Christ, and doing much good to
men. At last they, with their hosts, visited the Con
vent of Preaching Friars, and were much exhorted
and encouraged by their venerable and holy Prior to
continue their present way of life. He told them that
no one, be he man or woman, should, either from
error of judgment or false pride, desist from the
practice of holiness, or from speaking about God in
every place, adding: "Those who, in any place, re
fuse God when He wills their good, or for fear of
man turn from their true comfort, are fools ; for
such people seem to think they know better than
God, which is the greatest folly. God Himself knows
best when to visit His spouse the soul, and he who
refuses Him then will not have Him when he seeks
Him." The poor ones of Jesus Christ were much
rejoiced at these words, and praising God and return
ing thanks to the brothers, they departed. Then they
took leave of their benefactors, and departing from

106 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

Pisa, they went, moved by the same charity, to the
city of Lucca. Here also, as usual, they preached
the Word of God, and went about the place praising
the Name of Jesus Christ ; and by the help of Divine
grace they gathered there not a little fruit. After
wards they came to Pistoja, doing and saying there
what they thought would conduce to the honour of
God and the salvation of men. Amongst those in
that place, who, by the grace of God and their holy
words, gave themselves wholly to Jesus Christ, were
two who joined the company of poor ones, and be
came very zealous in God's service. One was called
Pietro, and the other Paulino. And so, continuing
their way, they passed through the magnificent city
of Florence, singing and preaching Jesus Christ as
they went along.

Throughout this journey Jesus Christ was so much
honoured, and these poor brothers received such
spiritual consolation, that the Blessed Giovanni said
afterwards it was the happiest one he had taken for
a long time.

CHAPTEK XXXVI.

An Exhortation to Humility of Spirit by the Blessed
Giovanni.

I HE loving Giovanni said to his dear brothers:
" Let all worldly and anxious thoughts for
your kindred, or other vain things, give place to the
love of Christ, and let all your thoughts and words be
good and holy : in your conversation with each other
be careful to say nothing that could cause offence ;
take kindly and calmly what is said or done to you ;
let each of. you seek to be the least, and consider
himself the worst ; think how much time you have
lost, and begin now to do well. Let us esteem others
better than ourselves, not murmuring, or finding
fault with others, for any cause. Let us grieve for
the sins we have committed against God, let us sym
pathize with those who are afflicted, and weep with
those who weep; let us mourn over a world which is
so ignorant of its true happiness that it refuses the

108 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

greatest good, and chooses the worst evil. Let us
help our neighbours, and constantly pray for them :
let us despise earthly things, and leaving them to the
world and its followers, let us set our hearts on the
high and great things of heaven and holiness. Finally,
let us strive to be Christ's disciples, and show that
we are such, by keeping the holy commandment He
left us, to love each other without measure. Let us
never be wanting in love — love as tender as that of
a son to his father, with the addition of unfeigned
humility. And last of all, when, by God's grace,
we have been enabled to do these things, we must
say, as our Blessed Lord commanded, ' We are use
less and unprofitable servants ;' for we have no
merit of our own, but God of His goodness allows
us to serve Him, that He might make us at length
His sons, and partakers of the joys of eternal life."

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Hoiv the Blessed Giovanni, with his Company, went
to meet Pope Urban, at Viterbo.

|N the return of the poor followers of Jesus
Christ to Siena, they heard that the Holy
Father, Pope Urban V., had arrived at Viterbo, from
Avignon, with his court ; and so the loyal-hearted
Giovanni, and about seventy poor brothers whom he
had gathered round him in less than two years, set
out thither, to introduce themselves to the Holy
Father, and to put themselves entirely under his
direction, so that, by making the bishops of the Holy
Church acquainted with their rule of life, all doubt
about the lawfulness of the order might be removed.
At that time there dwelt in Siena a young man
called Bianco di Santi : he belonged to Anciolina di
Val d'Arno di Sopra, in the Duchy of Florence, but
having from his childhood upwards been employed
at Siena in the manufacture of wool, he was always

110 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

called Bianco di Siena. He had often asked the
Blessed Giovanni to receive him into his fraternity,
but Giovanni seeing that he was a very beautiful and
delicate-looking youth, and fearing that he would be
unable to bear the severity of their rule, did not like
to admit him. Now, when Bianco heard that the
fervent Giovanni and most of his company were
going to Viterbo, he left Siena immediately, and on
reaching an inn, about three miles from the city,
he waited for them there, ordering a plentiful repast
to be prepared at his own expense. When Giovanni
and his poor brothers came up to the place, Bianco
went out to meet them, and affectionately and humbly
prayed them to yield to his loving desire that they
should rest there and dine, which they did ; and
when they had been somewhat refreshed by the good
meal provided for them, Bianco fell on his knees, and
with great vehemence implored the Blessed Giovanni
and the others to receive him into their society. On
which the beloved Giovanni, considering how his
heart was set upon it, and how kindly he had treated
them, consented to do so. Then they left that place,
and continued their journey together.

CHAPTEE XXXVIII.

How they Arrived at Viterbo.

JHEOUGHOUT this journey, these poor fol
lowers of Jesus Christ had much honour and
kmSoess shown them, especially in the States of
Holy Church, and more alms were offered to them
than they needed. It was esteemed a privilege to
be able to offer them any hospitality, every one was
anxious that they should eat or lodge at his own
house, and they were looked upon as saints. At
length they arrived at Viterbo, singing praises with
great gladness.

First of all, they went to the principal church ;
then they sat down to eat in the market-place, and
here they were surrounded by a great multitude,
bringing them a wonderful supply of provisions.
Both town and country people nocked eagerly to see
them, and many were moved to tears by their devo
tion. While waiting here the arrival of the Holy

112 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

Father, they visited a nephew of Pope Urban, who
was then Abhot of Marseilles. He was very glad to
see them, and exhorted them to persevere in the ser
vice of God ; and after they had taken their leave,
the Abbot sent them some money, which they refused,
however, at the same time thanking the donor.

Afterwards they visited the Count di Nola, who
was at that time governor of the patrimony : he
also was much pleased to see them, and offered them
large gifts. One evening he invited the Blessed
Giovanni and some of his companions to sup with
him, and it being summer time, some lettuces were
laid on the table. But Giovanni, the man of God,
observed that the Count did not take any, and said,
"Do you not eat lettuces, Count?" to which the
Count replied, " I have not eaten any for fourteen
years, for I have a weak stomach, and lettuce dis
agrees with me." Then, said the loving Giovanni,
" Take a little with us for friendship's sake ;" and
the Count replied, "I would willingly do so, to please
this company, but it would make me ill." Again
Giovanni implored him to take some, for the love of
Christ and for their satisfaction. Then the Count,
seeing the anxiety of the Blessed Giovanni, took one
leaf, saying, as he did so, " Thou wilt make me have

HOW THEY AERIVED AT VITEEBO. 113

a bad night." But no sooner had he eaten it, than
his stomach was so strengthened, that he never felt
any more pain, and from that time he was able to
eat salad, or anything else, however cold or hard it
might be.

114 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XXXIX.

Hoiv they ivent to meet the Pope at Corneto.

|HEN the time drew near for the arrival of the
Holy Father at Viterbo, Giovanni and his
companions went to visit the cardinal legate of the
church in that place, having been prevented from
doing so before by his illness; after which Giovanni,
Francesco Yincenti, and many of the poor brothers
accompanied him to the Port of Corneto, where Pope
Urban was to land, and there they were received with
great honour. While they were there, they made
themselves very useful in preparing for the worthy
reception of the Holy Father, helping to make ready
his bedchamber, and that of the cardinals. Then
they went to the harbour, where a great wooden
bridge, with triumphal decorations, was being built
on the shore for the Sovereign Pontiff and his cardi
nals ; and in this work they also helped as much as
they could. Upon the approach of the Holy Father,

MEETING THE POPE AT CORNETO. 115

almost every one was sent off the bridge except these
poor brothers, all of whom, with olive branches in
their hands and garlands of olive on their heads,
stood waiting for him, some on the bridge, and some
at its foot. As the Blessed Pope Urban and seven
cardinals stepped on the bridge, the poor brothers
raised shouts of joy, and cried out, "Blessed be
Christ, and long live the Holy Father ! " Giovanni,
Francesco Vincenti, and some of their companions,
humbly kissed his feet. These men were treated
with the most wonderful respect and devotion, for
though there were a great many prelates assembled,
and not a few temporal lords, and notwithstanding
the great crowd of people, room was always made
for them : they walked close to the Holy Father, and
two of them carried the banner under which he
rode. On reaching Corneto, he dismounted at the
Convent of the Friars Minor, amidst shoutings and
rejoicings; but the greatest and most wonderful
novelty of that day was the presence of those fervent
and lowly men, and many letters were written about
this new and holy society, and sent to different parts
of Christendom. When the Holy Father heard of
them, he said he should like to talk with them, and
encourage them in their holy life; but the foreign

9*

116 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

bishops and ambassadors were so angry at this, that
he was not able to do so. However, the poor brothers
visited the Cardinal of Avignon, who was the Pope's
brother. He showed them great kindness, giving
them comfort and counsel, and offering to be their
protector and father, which made the Blessed Gio
vanni say that he was like a lamb for his meekness
and gentleness. Francesco Bruni, of Florence,
secretary to the Holy Father, also treated them very
kindly.

CHAPTEE XL.

Ilow tlicy accompanied the Pope from Corneto to VI-
tcrbo, and liow the religious Habit was promised to
them.

(HE entry into Corneto of the Holy Father,
Pope Urban, took place on Friday, the 4th
of June, A.D. 1567. The Monday following he rode
towards Viterbo, accompanied by the poor brothers,
who almost ran by his side, for he rode fast. The
Holy Father considerately sent word to them to come
on at their ease, on which the ardent Francesco,
wishing to be obedient, said, " I am at my ease if I
can come close to him, hear him, and touch him."
Then he ran on in front, so that he might kiss his
feet when he passed. And such was the kindness
of the Sovereign Pontiff, that when he saw him
kneeling on the ground, he stopped his horse, and
allowed Francesco to kiss and touch him, and twice
on crossing over water, the devoted Francesco held

118 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

up his robes. On reaching Toscanella, the Holy
Father dismounted, and on Tuesday evening he sent
one of his courtiers to fetch the poor brothers, who
said to them, " I bring you good news: come to the
Pope." They joyfully obeyed, and going to the
monastery of the Friars Minor, they awaited him
there. Presently there appeared a venerable man,
who said to Francesco Vincenti, " Come to the Holy
Father," and led him into his presence. On enter
ing the room, Francesco laid his old cloak on the
ground and knelt down ; and when the Blessed Pope
Urban told him to come close to him, Francesco
humbly knelt at his feet, while the Holy Father, full
of wonder and admiration, questioned him on their
rule of life, and the motives which led them to it;
adding, that he did not like their having such variety
of dress amongst them, but he would give them a
habit : they might wear hoods, and he wished them to
continue to go barefoot. In reply to this Francesco
began by saying what a happiness he felt it to be in
the presence of the Holy Father, and then briefly told
him what were the motives which induced them to
undertake their present life. This interview lasted
some time, and before it ended the Blessed Pope
Urban gave orders to one of his servants that all the

FROM CORNETO TO VITERBO. 119

poor brothers who were on the shore when he landed
should be clothed in white. In conclusion, the fer
vent Francesco said that they put themselves under
the authority of the Pope, and were anxious to devote
their lives to the Holy Church and to his service :
they would be content to wear long robes or hoods,
or anything he pleased. He also begged- that his
Holiness would quite understand that they fully in
tended to serve him lovingly and faithfully. These
words pleased the Holy Father not a little, and the
devoted Francesco, having received his blessing, took
his leave, and joyfully related everything to Giovanni
and his companions. On Wednesday morning, the
9th of June, the Blessed Pope Urban made his pon
tifical entry into Yiterbo with great pomp and
magnificence, attended by eight cardinals, a number
of bishops and other dignitaries, and many nobles
and ambassadors, while praises and shouts of joy
resounded on all sides, so that it seemed as if the very
stones cried out, " Benedictus qui venit in Nomine
Domini."

120 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK XLI.

How they icere Accused of Heresy in Viterlo.

these poor brothers had followed the
Holy Father to Viterbo with great devotion
and reverence, God permitted their faith to be tried,
in order that the purity and holiness of their lives
might shine forth more clearly ; and He allowed the
devil to tempt many prelates and other religious
with his malicious suggestions, putting it into their
heads that these poor men held the pernicious and
heretical opinions of the Fraticelli. For this reason
some of the cardinals and bishops, and certain
Mendicant Friars who did not really know the poor
brothers, suspected them of heresy, and spoke against
them to the Holy Father, defaming and slandering
them. Many of the courtiers also hated them, and
spoke evil of them, but by the Blessed Pope Urban,
and his brother the Cardinal of Avignon, and all who
knew them well, they were not only loved and ho-

ACCUSED OF HERESY IN VITEBBO. 121

noured, but also openly commended and protected.
This persecution obliged them to exercise much pa
tience, humility, and many other virtues, and they
had so much to endure, that some of them would not
bear it, left the congregation, and returned to the
miserable world. The loving Giovanni and the other
brave soldiers of Christ were very much grieved at
this departure, for they feared for the salvation of
those who left them; but their own injuries gave them
no uneasiness, for they trusted in God for help, and
in the testimony of their pure consciences, knowing
too that "it is through much tribulation we must
enter into the kingdom of God; " and that " God is
faithful, Who will not suffer us to be tempted above
that we are able." They were not surprised at their
persecution, when they learnt what they were igno
rant of at the time they determined to wait on the
Pope; viz., the heresies which had crept in upon
the state of holy poverty, and were still arising.
Then was fulfilled that which a holy man called II
Nero, of the city of Castello, had prophesied about
them, — that they would have to cross a great river,
and that this would show which of them were of God,
for many of them would obediently cross it, and some
would refuse to do so : and so it happened. But the

122 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

just God very soon manifested His displeasure against
those who had left the congregation of poor ones,
for on returning to the world, they were detested by
almost everybody : and during the persecution God
worked a singular miracle, in the case of two Aretini
(men of Arezzo), who had previously given up their
possessions, and together joined the congregation.
One of them, called Se Biliotto, was the first to
leave, and he was hung at Arezzo, in company with
fourteen others ; and on the same day, in Viterbo,
the other one, who was called Pietrino, and had
remained in the brotherhood, rendered up his spirit
to God in great fervour and devotion.

CHAPTER XLII.

An Exhortation to Perseverance by the Blessed Giovanni.

[OR this cause, Giovanni, being full of faith,
said to his patient companions: "Behold
the working of Divine Justice, how fearful it is ; see
how God wills that the flour should be discerned from
the bran. Yet this need not dishearten us, because
even sorce of the angels fell from heaven, and those
who remained were perfected ; and in all holy con
gregations there have been some who wanted perse
verance. And so I believe it will be with us ; but woe
to him who goes out from us ! God wishes to prove
who are serving Him faithfully, and who are not, so
that no one may deceitfully shelter himself under His
cloak. Therefore rejoice, and take comfort in this,
that you have remained on His side, and have not
joined those who, being deprived of the grace of our
Lord, have returned to the miserable world, to the
abominations of a sinful life, accompanied by such

124 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

disgrace and shame, that few will have anything to
do with them. Let us therefore learn wisdom at
their expense, and at the same time have compassion
on them, and' pray for them, and he watchful over
ourselves. Let us, my he]oved brethren, persevere
bravely if we would not be discomfited and con
founded ; for he who runs away, instead of fighting
bravely, can have no right to the crown of victory ;
and in this battle none are defeated against their
will, for our enemy is no stronger than we are. Be
humble, then, and patient, so that all may know you
to be disciples and servants of Jesus Christ."

CHAPTEE XLIII.

How they were Examined by the Inquisitor on their
Heretical Depravity, and Icing found Pious and
Religious, the Pope gave them the Habit.

|S the ill-treatment of the poor brothers con
tinued, and so many complaints of them
were made to the Blessed Urban, he ordered the
Cardinal of Marseilles, who was one of the Preaching
Friars, and learned in theology, to examine them
strictly, although his brother the Cardinal of Avignon
advised him to the contrary, as they were simple
and unlearned men ; and he feared lest, out of very
ignorance, they might say something which would
be considered heretical. However, the men them
selves were very eager to be examined, and so one
morning the Cardinal of Marseilles sent for them ;
and in the presence of a notary, who had prepared
a blank sheet of paper, he and the Inquisitor began
to examine them very carefully, asking them a great

126 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

many questions; but the Blessed Jesus Christ, Who
is infinite truth and wisdom, so enlightened their
minds, that they were enabled to give a right answer
to everything, according to the Catholic Faith and
the decrees of the Holy Eoman Church ; such being
their intention. And they spoke so eloquently of
their poverty and holy purpose, that the cardinal
was full of admiration ; and so there seemed nothing
to write against them. The cardinal invited them
to his table that morning and the following, when
he treated them as his own sons, waiting on them
himself. He gave such a good report of them to
the Blessed Pope Urban, that whereas he had at
first procured enough white cloth for twenty -five
of their number, he now wished to clothe them all,
and ordered sixty robes, and as many hoods of the
same colour, to be made for them ; and besides that,
he gave them money out of his treasury for their
support, all which they respectfully received. All
the brothers who were at the Papal Court were then
clothed in white, and the Holy Father ordered robes
to be sent to those who were absent, which was done
by the Blessed Giovanni, who also wrote thus : "Let
those who have courage to persevere to the end,
accept this habit, and with God's blessing devoutly

EXAMINED BY THE INQUISITOR. 127

put it on ; but let not him accept it who is irresolute
and fearful, for woe to him who wears it under false
pretences ; woe to him ! "

The Cardinal of Marseilles, who had at first looked
suspiciously on them, heing doubtful as to their
opinions, afterwards became their benefactor and
protector, and he took them to hear Mass in the
Pope's Chapel, on S. John Baptist's day, and on the
day of the blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul.
He also commanded them to attend the solemn Mass
of the Blessed Pope Urban in the same chapel, which
they did ; and to these poor men it appeared almost
heavenly. The cardinal likewise cleverly and ef
fectually silenced certain masters in theology and
Mendicant Friars, who disapproved of the poverty of
these men ; and he told a chaplain and secretary
of the Cardinal of Avignon, who was also friendly
to them, that if necessary he would die in their
defence; and wherever he went, he praised them
and took their part. But many who spoke against
them, when they understood their pure and holy
intention, held them in devotion and respect, and
so their character was continually being cleared.
Almost every one rejoiced when the Blessed Pope
Urban had invested them with cassocks and hoods,

128 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

and they magnified the Name of Jesus Christ, and
blessed the Holy Father for his gift, and the men
were called throughout the province " the Pope's
poor." Other cardinals and lords also welcomed them
to their houses, and showed them much honour, so
that, as they said afterwards, it seemed sometimes as
if they themselves were cardinals. Monsignor of
Marseilles was their chief friend, and he invited
them to his table so often, that another cardinal
used to call them the esquires of the Cardinal of
Marseilles.

CHAPTEE XLIV.

Of the reasons which induced them to remain awhile in
Viterbo, and how, when they left that place, they went
to the Lake of Bolsena.

|HE poor brothers remained in Viterbo for
some days after the Habit had been given
them, for three special reasons. First, that they
might be fully informed of the will of the Holy
Father concerning their manner of life, so as to ad
vance still further in God's service, by conforming
themselves always to the decrees and constitutions of
the Holy Church, and they learnt much on this point
from the prelates of the court— especially the Cardinal
of Avignon — who gave them full information on every
matter connected with their life. And on the part of
the Holy Father, he told them not to keep all together,
for a multitude causes confusion and disorder, but
to disperse themselves about in the cities or vil
lages of their neighbourhood, as they thought best,

10

130 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

always with the consent of the bishops of those pro
vinces : they were also cautioned against holding the
opinions of the Fraticelli. These instructions were
gratefully received by the poor brothers. Their se
cond reason for remaining with the court was, that
their pure and holy design might become better and
more generally known ; and the third reason was that
they might see their particular Father, Monsignor
Buccio, Bishop of Castello, who had written to tell
them that he was coming to court that day.

But when they heard that for some good reason he
was unable to come, they paid a farewell visit to his
Holiness, Pope Urban, who promised them every sup
port and assistance, and with loving words exhorted
them to persevere in their holy life : and after receiv
ing his blessing they took leave of him. He also gave
them enough money to buy six ells of cloth, which
would be sufficient to make five Habits. They also
paid farewell visits to the cardinals and other pre
lates, and the Cardinals of Avignon and Marseilles
gave them much additional comfort and encourage
ment, by tendering them all the help in their power.
Yet notwithstanding all these offers of help from the
Holy Father, and cardinals, and their other friends,
they would not ask for a Papal Bull, or any exemp-

THEY GO TO THE LAKE OF BOLSENA. 131

tion whatever, for they wished in everything to keep
the commandments and counsels of the Holy Gospel,
and humbly to obey the pastors of the Holy Church.
Besides which, the Bishop of Castello, in two later
letters, had advised them to this effect : " Trust to
virtue for your defence, and not to Papal Bulls."
Other bishops who loved them, also, counselled them
not to ask for any privilege whatever. And so these
poor humble-minded men, clothed in white, took their
departure from Viterbo, and with loud voices, praising
Jesus Christ, they went on their way till they came to
the Lake of Bolsena, where there is a convent for
women, called the Convent of S. Mary Magdalen ; and
Giovanni being very much devoted to that saint, and
it being the day of her Feast, he and his devout com
pany went to that Church to hear the Divine Office,
and were gladly and lovingly welcomed there.

10

132 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XLV.

How Giovanni, being seized with Fever at the Lake of
Bolsena, was carried to Acquapendente.

]OW it came to pass that the merciful God,
seeing how nobly His brave soldier Giovanni
had borne the fight, and how many pains of mind
and body he had endured for His sake, and seeing
too that the poor brothers had received the Habit from
the Pope, and were fully instructed in all things neces
sary for their welfare, He resolved to give Giovanni
the crown of victory, and transplant him to eternal
rest. So the same day Giovanni was seized with a
burning fever, at which this patient man was greatly
rejoiced, perceiving that it was God's visitation. His
brothers and sons in Christ were full of sorrow, how
ever, and fearing that his sickness might increase in
that place, they bore him to Acquapendente, and
there used every possible means to cure him. But as
his sickness increased, the most faithful Giovanni was

HE IS CAKRIED TO ACQUAPENDENTE. 133

anxious to make his confession once more, and to
receive the Viaticum of the Body of Christ. On the
arrival of the priest with the Blessed Sacrament,
Giovanni humbly prayed Benedetto di Pace, of the
city of Castello, one of his most zealous companions,
to write down the words he spoke, a copy of which
is contained in the following chapter.

134 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBIXI.

CHAPTEE XLVI.

The last Will and Testament of the Blessed Giovanni.

IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED. AMEN.

N the year of our Lord 1357, in the 5th Indic-
J tion, on the 26th day of July, Urban the Fifth
being the reigning Pope. Be it known to all who
shall behold this writing, that the good and venerable
Giovanni di Pietro Colombini of Siena, being very
infirm in body, but in full possession of his senses,
humbly kneeling before the most Holy Body of Christ,
Which was held in the hands of the priest Giovanni
di Schiavo, rector of the Church of S. Angiolo at
Acquapendente, in the presence of witnesses, and of
me, the undersigned notary, dictated these words :—

I, Giovanni, in the presence of my Lord Jesus
Christ, confess that I have been ungrateful to God
for the blessings He has conferred upon me ; that I
am the greatest sinner in the world, and for my evil
deeds am deserving of hell-fire : nevertheless, trust-

HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. 135

ing in God's mercy, I hope that He will be gracious
to me, and grant me eternal life.

I do in very deed and truth confess and believe
in God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost, and
in all that the Holy Mother Church of Eome, and
her pastors, Pope Urban, the cardinals his brothers,
and the other bishops of the Church believe. And
I declare that the life I have led since I embraced
poverty, to the present time, has been and is for the
glory of my Lord Jesus Christ, and the honour and
advancement of the Holy Church of God, and her
most holy and blessed Father and Euler, Pope Urban
the Fifth, the cardinals his brothers, and the other
bishops and governors, to whom, being Christ's
vicars upon earth, I have always, and will be obe
dient until death. I affirm that this is the way of
salvation, and that whoever wanders therefrom, and
does not fully believe what is ordered and deter
mined by the aforesaid Pastors to be the work of
God by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and is not
obedient, is not a true Catholic Christian : and I be
lieve and am sure that whoever errs in this respect
is separated from Christ. But if I have in ignorance
said or done anything which is contrary to the will of
the said holy Pastors, I repent of it, and confess my

136 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

fault, and demand of you, Giovanni the priest, the
sacrament of penance ; although I do not know that I
have ever failed on these points. I place myself en
tirely, both body and soul, in the bosom of the Holy
Church and her Pastors, and so I hope for eternal
life. And I exhort my companions, absent as well as
present, who have hitherto been faithful to Holy
Mother Church, and to her Pastors, never to sepa
rate from her, for in doing so they would be departing
from the Blessed Christ. Furthermore, as goodness
is very often envied, and persecuted, and nay con
science urges me to vindicate the truth, I affirm, re
specting the convent of SS. Abbundio and Abbun-
danzio, near Siena, where I have placed my daughter
and other relations of mine, and where I and my
companions have often lodged, for the sake of the
good and holy instructions we have received from
the sisters dwelling there, that these sisters are the
holiest, the most pure, the most devoted to Holy Mother
Church, and the most upright in the whole world ;
full of penance, charity, and almsgiving ; very poor
in spirit, possessing no private wealth, though they
are rich in common. I consider them all to be saints.
Executed at Acquapendente, in the patrimony, in
the house of Ambrogio di Gianni of that place, in the

HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. 137

presence of the undersigned Ambrogio, Benedetto
di Conte, Simone d'Agnoluccio of Perugia, Bartoluccio
di Santi of the city of Castello, Seculars ; Francesco
di Mino Vincenti, Giovanni di Geri, Bianco di Santi
of Siena, and Simon di Muccio of Monterelli, all cited
to be witnesses : the aforesaid Giovanni praying me,
the undersigned notary, to make a public writing of
the same ; and I, Benedetto di Pace, of the city of
Castello, by imperial authority judge in ordinary and
notary public, being present, have attested and written
down these words, publishing them, and setting my
seal and name thereto.

138 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XL VII.

How lie ivas borne in his sickness to the Abbey of
S. Salvatore.

| HEN the faithful Giovanni had concluded
these sayings, he received the Most Holy
Body of Christ with such devotion, that all who were
present shed tears at the sight. Afterwards, his
loving companions being anxious to take him, while
yet alive, to his beloved convent of Santa Bonda,
carried him as far as the village where was the Abbey
of S. Salvatore ; and many people followed them all
along the road, for they were very desirous to see
this servant of God, and to help him, if possible.
On reaching the village, he was taken to the house
of a good man, called Naddo di Vanni, who had
always hospitably received these poor men whenever
they came to the place, and here Giovanni grew so
much worse that he could not be moved again. Per
ceiving that his death was drawing near, he gave

HE IS TAKEN TO S. SALVATORE. 139

directions for his burial, and declared his last wishes,
praying the before-named Benedetto to write this
down also, a copy of which is contained in the fol
lowing chapter.

140 LIFE OF B, GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XL VIII.

The Blessed Giovanni's Directions concerning his
Burial.

IN THE NAME OF OUR CRUCIFIED LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1367, THE 29in DAY OF JULY, IN THE 5in

INDICTION, IN THE TIME OF POPE URBAN V.

|E it known to all who shall behold this
writing, that the good and venerable Gio
vanni di Pietro Colombini, a citizen of Siena, being
weak in body but sound in mind, I, the undersigned
notary, in the presence of witnesses, asked him where
he would like to be buried, if it should please God to
take his life; and he replied that, if he should die
(and he told me and the witnesses to bear this in
mind), he wished to be buried near the boundary
wall of the Convent and Cloister of SS. Abbundio
and Abbundanzio at Siena, by the door of the kitchen
garden belonging to the convent : that his dead body
was to be wrapped up in canvas, the hands tied

HE DIRECTS HOW HE IS TO BE BUBIED. 141

behind, and he was to be taken thither on the back of
an ass. These he said were his last wishes, and he
told me, the notary, to record them in writing.

Executed in the village adjoining the Abbey of S.
Salvatore, in the province of Siena, in the house of
Naddo di Vanni; in the presence of Naddo di Gug-
lielmo, of the aforesaid place, and of Fazio di Betto
of Montalcino, Gualtieri di Pietro of Siena, Donato
di Giovanni e Santori, surnamed Eomeo, of the city
of Puligniano, in the kingdom of Apulia, cited as
witnesses; and I, Benedetto di Pace, of the city of
Castello, being requested to do so, recorded the above,
and set my seal and name thereto.

142 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE XLIX.

A very Holy and Edifying Exhortation delivered by the
Blessed Giovanni in his last Sickness.

, the man of God, having declared
his last wishes, began most affectionately to
exhort his beloved companions, and he said to them :
" Oh, dearest fathers and brothers in Jesus Christ, you
see that God wishes to take me to Himself, and it is
our duty cheerfully to submit to His Will, for He is the
Giver of life and death, and what He lays upon us is
for our good, and the salvation of our souls. You need
not be afraid of that happening which is spoken of in
Holy Scripture, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the
sheep shall be dispersed,' for I am not a good shep
herd, on account of my ignorance. I know not even
how to govern myself, much less others; and I deserve
to be punished, but in the kindness of your hearts you
have borne with me. Besides, there are many amongst
you who are capable of governing, and I especially

HE EXHORTS HIS COMPANIONS. 143

recommend Francesco Vincenti to you for that office :
he is more worthy of it than I am, and will be your
father and ruler. Follow and obey him, and do not
forsake his guidance, for he will lead you in the right
way. And I earnestly beseech you all, absent as well
as present, for the sake of the Blessed Jesus Christ, to
pardon me if I have failed in. my duty towards you, if
I have foolishly corrected you too much or too little,
or have given you any cause for offence ; and if so, I
ask your forgiveness (I would do so on my knees if I
could) for the sake of Christ crucified. And I implore
you to love each other, and always live peaceably to
gether, no one wishing to be above his fellow, for he
who will be greatest shall be the least, and he that
humbles himself shall be exalted. Study as much as
possible to follow the example of Jesus Christ and the
holy apostles, and when your works are done after
that pattern then you will be true Gesuati. Let your
every thought, word, and deed, be for the honour and
glory of Jesus Christ. Whatever you may be doing,
let His holy Name be ever in your heart and mouth ;
and I implore you to persevere unto the end, for he
who only begins well will not be saved, but he who per
severes. Be brave soldiers of Jesus Christ, and by His
help triumph over the world, the flesh, and the devil.

144 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

' God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that which you are able.' The labour of the battle
is of short duration, but the crown of victory is per
petual : you have only to bear this penance for a little
while, for death comes quickly upon us all. Learn,
dearly beloved, how to make the most of your time,
that death may not find you unprepared. Again, I tell
you that if you persevere in the way you have begun,
you will increase in merit and in number, every one
will love and respect you, and you will never want for
any necessary thing. When your wants are supplied,
give thanks to God, and pray for your benefactors ;
and when you are not so well off, have patience, and
put your trust in Jesus Christ. He will speedily help
you, for He never forsakes His faithful servants. In
all your sorrows and adversities also have faith and
hope in God. See how often the Divine Goodness
has helped us, and particularly observe how this
saying of the gospel has been anew fulfilled in us,
' When you shall be brought before councils, do not
think beforehand what you have to say, for it shall
be given you from above.' When the chief prelates
of the court unjustly accused us to the Blessed Pope
Urban, and he ordered us to be examined by men of
great learning and authority, we foolish and unlearned

HE EXHOKTS HIS COMPANIONS. 145

men were enabled by God to answer so correctly, that
instead of being shamefully condemned, as many
thought we should be, we were honourably rewarded :
men's hatred towards us was turned into love ; those
who sought to injure us were the cause of our being
benefited; and his Holiness, being convinced of our
innocence and purity, gave white Habits to all of us,
not only those who were present, but the absent ones
also. You are bound, therefore, to do your very utmost
for the glory of God and Holy Church. Try to have your
souls whiter than your Habits, by keeping your hearts
pure, confessing frequently, and receiving the Most
Holy Sacrament of the Body of Christ at Easter, and
on other great feasts. Be joyful, and serve the Lord
with gladness ; love each other as brethren ; and when
any of your companions are sick, tend them as lovingly
as possible, as you would Jesus Christ Himself, for
He says in the Holy Gospel, 'What you do to one of
the least of mine, you do it to me.' Spend your
time usefully; take care that the enemy does not find
you idle, but always occupied in some good work. In
all your labours let some holy thought find a place in
your heart; read, or listen to the reading of spiritual
books ; be constant in prayer by day and night ; medi
tate on the justice and mercy of God, in order that you

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146 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

may love and fear Him. Think over your sins with
heartfelt sorrow, and accuse yourselves of them to God
with simplicity, humbly asking for pardon : think how
miserably prone we are to fall, and how good God is
in raising us up again. Meditate often on the hour of
death, the day of judgment, the punishment of the
damned, and the glory of the blessed ; think of the
general and special blessings you have received from
God, and thank Him heartily for all; and above all
keep in mind the holy life and Passion of Jesus Christ.
This enlightens and fortifies the devout soul, and is
the best medicine for all our spiritual infirmities.
Contemplate also the lives and sufferings of the
saints : this will help us to despise vicious practices,
and all sensual and worldly pleasures, and kindle in
our hearts a desire after holiness, and a willingness
to suffer for Jesus Christ's sake, for ' through many
tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of
God.' Be sure, my beloved brethren, that you can
not enter heaven by any other way : therefore fight
bravely, and as much as possible strive after God's
glory and the salvation of your souls, so that, when
this short life is over, the Blessed Christ may grant
you eternal glory."

CHAPTEK L.

What the Blessed Giovanni said to Francesco
Vincent i.

|HEN turning to Francesco Vincenti, he said to
him in the tenderest accents : " Oh, my dear
brother, thou knowest how long we have loved one
another, not from any relationship between us, but
solely in God. For the sake of Christ crucified, I
commend to you our spiritual fathers and sons, whom
God has committed to our charge. See how fully they
have trusted us, believing us to be good servants of
God. They give up their own will entirely, and obey
us in all things ; they have forsaken their relations,
friends, and everything they have in the world :
therefore we are bound to take care of them, as if
they were our own, for we shall have to give ac
count of them to our just Judge. I entreat you to
watch over them, be the good father and shepherd
of their souls, their master and brother both in doc-

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148 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

trine and example, so that by God's help, and thy
love and care, they may attain a happy end."

Francesco, full of sorrow, answered him with sobs :
"Thy loving words break my heart, not because I
am unwilling to bear any fatigue, or do all in my
power for the welfare of our poor companions, as I
am in duty bound, but deprived of thy dear com
panionship, my life will henceforth be a continual
death ; and, besides that, not being capable of
governing them, they will derive very little benefit
from my rule. For these reasons, therefore, I im
plore thee, as thou lovest me, to intercede for me
with Jesus Christ, that He will soon remove me
from this mortal life." He made this request so
humbly, that the loving Giovanni promised to pray
that God would grant him this desire.

Then the Blessed Giovanni requested all those
present to withdraw, except the priest Giovanni di
Schiavo ; and calling him to his side, he revealed
to him in confidence many things which were going
to happen, and asked him to make them known to
Madonna Paola, the venerable Abbess of the Convent
of Santa Bonda. After this the others returned,
and assembled round his bed, and although the
loving Giovanni was so exhausted that he could

WHAT HE SAID TO FRANCESCO VINCENTI. 149

hardly speak, he forced himself to do so, out of the
love he bore to his companions; and looking at
Francesco Vincenti, he said to him: " Oh, my dear
brother, I may no longer be with thee; again I re
commend this our family to thy care, and although
I believe that thou wilt not long survive me, I still
entreat thee to watch over them."

Then turning to his other spiritual children, of
whom about twenty were present, the rest having
been sent, some to Siena, some to other places, he
said : " Oh, my dear sons and brothers, I have not
deserved to be the father of such a good family, but
so it is. I have loved you much, and have indeed
desired the salvation of your souls. I would wil
lingly have died for you a hundred times a day, if
such had been possible. Again I exhort you to
continue in the way you have begun, and again I
ask your forgiveness if I have given you any cause
of offence. I bless you all, absent as well as present,
also those who shall in future join our holy society,
and persevere unto death." Then he made the sign
of the cross over them, saying, "God the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you."

150 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTER LI.

The Last Exhortation of the Blessed Giovanni.

!|N hearing these loving words of their master
and father, Francesco and the other poor
ones were overcome with grief, and perceiving that
death was drawing near, they hegan to weep ; and
although they restrained themselves as much as
possible in his presence, for fear of distressing him,
Giovanni saw their tears, and said : " Do not weep
for me, dear brothers, for I trust that God will not
leave me, nor I Him ; not for my merits, but of His
infinite mercy. So do not grieve at my departure, for
I believe that I am going to a place where I shall
help you in future better than I have in times past.
You are not born of my confidence, but of God ; hope
then in Him, and put your trust in Him ; and if you
love me do not weep, but rather rejoice that I go to
our Saviour Jesus, who of His mercy has given us His
Name ; therefore, whether we will or no, we are called

HIS LAST EXHORTATION. 151

Gesuati. Besides, you know what Jesus said to His
Father, ' I will, Father, that where I am, there shall
my servant be; " and so, if we serve Him faithfully,
we shall all spend eternal life with Him, not in sad
ness and weeping, but in perpetual happiness and
glory. One thing more I ask of you, and for love's
sake I command you, and that is, that you should
take the Convent and the sisters of Santa Bonda
under your protection. You remember I have said in
my will that I wish to be buried there, because I
know their holy and praiseworthy life. I should have
thought myself highly favoured if it had pleased God
to allow me to die in that devout place, but because
I am not worthy of it, or for some other reason, such
has not been God's Will. Therefore, as far as in me
lies, I commend this convent to your care. When you
can do them any good, do so ; and when you want
anything of them, do not be afraid of asking it, for
they are very charitable, as most of you already
know. But do not be too familiar either with that
or any other convent of women, and as a rule be
reserved with all women, and be very prudent and
discreet in your conversation with them, not because
I mistrust either you or them, but to avoid any cause
for scandal. As I said before, I believe all the sisters

152 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

of Santa Bonda to be saints, and therefore, when you
go there, ask them to pray for me. And I pray thee,
Francesco, that as we have been of one mind ever
since we resolved to embrace poverty for the sake of
Jesus Christ, so we may still be so in our burial, and
that thou wilt be buried in the same place with me;"
and with many tears Francesco promised that it
should be so. Then, once more gathering up his
remaining strength, the loving-hearted Giovanni gave
them all his blessing.

CHAPTEE LIT.

How the Blessed Giovanni received Extreme Unction
and the Recommendation of the Soul, and how he
Died.

|HEN after the manner of a faithful Christian
he demanded the Holy Sacrament of Extreme
Unction, which he received most devoutly, being then
perfectly conscious; and as his death drew near, his
brothers knelt around his bed, and heartily prayed
God to have mercy on his soul. The priest said the
Office for the Recommendation of the Soul, and some
other prayers, and lastly read to him the Passion of
Jesus Christ from the Holy Gospel ; and when he
came to the words, Pater, in manus tuas commendo
spiritum meum, that blessed soul was released from
the body, and went, we fully believe, to the glory of
eternal life. This happened on Saturday, the last day
of July, in the year of our Lord 1367. And although
we ought not to mourn when holy men depart from

154 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

this mortal life to the immortal, yet as soon as the
Blessed Giovanni was dead, there arose great lamen
tation amongst his sons, because their beloved father
was lost to them in the flesh. Francesco Vincenti,
especially, was overwhelmed with grief; he threw
himself on Giovanni's neck, and kissing him all over,
he cried out: "Oh, my Father Giovanni, why hast
thou left me ? Is this the companionship I hoped for
from thee ? To whom can I turn now for advice and
support ? From whom else shall I ever gain such com
fort as I have from thee ? Thou wast my good master
and father, thou didst enlighten my mind, inflame
my affections, and guide me always in the right way.
Oh, dear Giovanni, I weep not for thee, but for my
self ; thou art gone to happiness, I am left behind to
lament; I rejoice much in thy bliss, but grieve over
my misery. Oh, most loving Giovanni, of thy chanty,
I earnestly implore thee to ask God soon to take me
from this darkness, and let me join thee in perpetual
light. When will the hour come that I shall find
myself with thee?" Having said these and other
words, the good Francesco embraced him again, and
with many tears kissed his hands and face. All the
other poor brothers also poured forth their lamen
tations, each one relating the great benefits and loving

HOW HE DIED. 155

ministrations he had received from Giovanni; and
this lasted for more than an hour. Afterwards, when
their weeping was a Ilittle moderated, they saw that
their Father Francesco was still so overcome with
grief, that he could not restrain his tears ; and they
tried to persuade him to leave the Blessed Giovanni's
body, but in vain. So they took him by force, and
raised him upright on his feet, and then withdrew
from him a little, for it seemed as if his heart would
break with grief. Lastly, these poor brothers, with
sighs and tears approaching in order the body of
the Blessed Giovanni, kissed his hand, as if he had
been a priest, with much reverence and devotion.

156 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK LIII.

How the Body of the Blessed Giovanni ivas borne to
the Convent of Santa Bonda.

JFTEE this, they questioned amongst them
selves whether they were obliged to carry
that holy body to the grave in the ignominious way
he had desired in his will ; and being distressed at the
thought of such disrespect, they took counsel thereon
with certain good men, who all agreed that they
were not bound to treat his body with such contempt
as he in his humility had ordained, but that they
should bury him with all the honour which his holy
life deserved : and this being settled, they decided on
carrying him to the Convent of Santa Bonda, where
he wished to be buried, and with many tears they re
moved him from the house where he had died. All
the people of the country round, both men and
women, came to see him, and to kiss his hand de
voutly, as if he had been a priest ; and the Abbot and

HIS FUNERAL.

157

community of S. Salvadore sent many wax candles.
His body having been reverently put into a coffin,
they devoutly carried him forth, being accompanied
for some distance by almost the whole neighbourhood,
many of whom followed him as far as the confines
of the territory, and in all the places through which
they passed people came out to see him ; and in this
way that holy body was borne with much reverence
and devotion to the village of San Quirino, where
they rested for a little while. At last they reached
the before-named Convent of Santa Bonda, where
the holy body was placed in the church, and exposed
to view.

158 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE LIV.

Hoiv many holy Women wept over the Body of the
Blessed Giovanni in the Convent of Santa Bonda.

IHEN Madonna Paola and Sister Bartolommea
and the other devout nuns saw that the
Blessed Giovanni, whose life they had earnestly hoped
for, was dead, they burst into tears, and bitterly
lamented being deprived of the spiritual consolation
of their venerable father. Each one spoke of his
holy words and works, and chiefly of the great love
which for the glory of God and their own salvation
he had shown towards them ; and in the midst of
their weeping they never ceased talking of the great
benefits they had received from him. Then the
brothers sent word to all their companions who were
within reach, so they came immediately, and when
they saw the venerable body of their beloved father,
they mourned as the others had done. When the
news reached Siena, almost the whole city wept, and

HIS WIFE'S LAMENTATION. 159

not only the Blessed Giovanni's relations and friends,
but nearly every one went to see him.

Madonna Biagia, the holy wife of the Blessed Gio
vanni, came to the convent, full of sorrow, with many
of her relations and friends, and when she saw the
holy body of her dearly-loved Giovanni, she threw
herself upon him, and weeping bitterly, said, in
piteous tones: " Oh, most chaste and holy face, which
for the sake of Christ I have refrained from kissing
for twelve years ! Oh, holy eyes, how many tears you
have shed for Christ crucified ! Oh, sweet mouth,
which preached so fervently for God's glory and the
salvation of souls, and so tenderly comforted those in
sorrow, comfort me, who am afflicted beyond all other
Siennese women. I do not mourn thy death, but mine,
being deprived of thee, my life. Thou art living in the
glory of the heavenly country, but I am dead in the
misery of this wretched world. I deserve more pity
than all other afflicted widows, for I am deprived of
the best and holiest husband in all Siena." Then
devoutly kissing his hands, she said: "Oh, blessed
hands, what large alms you have given to the poor !
what menial offices have been done by you ! what
loving letters you have written ! and all out of love to
your Creator ! " Likewise, kissing his feet, she said,

160 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

in broken accents : "Oh, feet, so delicate formerly,
when covered, that even the seams of your stockings
hurt you, yet afterwards, when you went barefoot for
the sake of Christ, you cared not for wounds from
stones, or thorns, or for bitter cold;" and then
earnestly gazing on him, she said, with sobs and tears,
" Oh, most tender, weak, and delicate body, which was
enabled by Divine strength gladly to endure what was
impossible for human strength. Oh, Colombini, pure
and chaste, filled with the fire of the Holy Ghost,
now is the favour granted thee which thou hast longed
for so many years, to die in preaching the Name of
Christ." And turning to Caterina di Colombini, she
said: "Oh, dearest sister, who with thy tongue didst
pierce the heart of our lord and father, Giovanni,
saying to him, when he left Siena, 'May the Lord
protect thee,' He has cared for him so much that He
allowed him by excessive suffering, both of body and
mind, to die for Him."

Caterina and his other relations and friends also
mourned for him, and one of them, Alissa de Bandi-
nelli, when she saw the precious body of the Blessed
Giovanni, said, with tears: " Now is that light ex
tinguished from our view, which I saw when thou
prayedst so fervently in thy chamber. Who will now

HIS WIFE'S LAMENTATION. 161

help me in the work of my salvation ? How affec
tionately, dearest father, didst thou exhort me to live
to God's glory ! How earnestly didst thou write to me
that I should love Jesus Christ more than my sons,
saying that my children could not admit me to eternal
life ! I entreat thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, Whom
thou lovedst so much, to intercede with Him for
myself and my sons." Thus did all his relations
and friends mourn and weep over his body, remem
bering how beneficial had been his life and teaching,
and every one devoutly kissed his hand.

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1G2 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK LV.

Of the Burial of the Blessed Giovanni.

]Y the time that their weeping was somewhat
abated, all was ready for the funeral, and
the priests, both secular and religious, a great
number of whom were present, began devoutly to
chant the Divine Office, and reverently performed all
the ceremonies, as if the Blessed Giovanni had been
a priest. Then his companions, about forty of whom
were there, being all clothed in the Habit given by
the Holy Father, took the coffin containing that holy
body, which looked more as if it was asleep than
dead, and with sighs and tears laid it in the grave
they had prepared in the church near the entrance
to the cloister; and after covering it with many
flowers and sweet- smelling herbs, they replaced the
earth and the pavement. This was on Monday, the
third of August, A.D. 1367. This being done, the
holy wife of the Blessed Giovanni talked for a while

HIS BURIAL. 163

with the sisters, commending to them, with many
tears, the soul of her beloved Giovanni, and entreat
ing them to pray for him, although she believed that
he had entered into life eternal. To Madonna Paola
she said: "For the sake of the devoted love you in
this convent show to my husband's memory, you
need not be afraid to ask anything of me, for I will
gladly do for you all that is in my power." The
venerable Abbess could hardly speak for her tears,
but she answered: "We rejoice greatly that you
should commend the soul of the Blessed Giovanni
to our prayers, although it is needless, for it is far
dearer to us than our own souls. Oh, that we might
be where he is ! We thank God for giving us such
a precious relic as his holy body, unworthy though
we are of such a treasure. But we earnestly entreat
you to think of us, and rely on our friendship, just
as did the Blessed Giovanni ; and as a special favour,
although we do not deserve it, I beg that you will
come and live with us." The venerable wife of the
Blessed Giovanni thanked the Abbess and all the
sisters, and then she and her relations sorrowfully
took their departure. After that, everybody went
away except the new father, Francesco Yincenti, and
some of the poor brothers.

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164 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEK LVI.

How the Blessed Francesco fell Sick seven days after
the Death of the Blessed Giovanni.

FRANCESCO, who was staying with the chap
lain of the convent, in his great grief wished
for death, to reunite him to his beloved father in Christ,
Giovanni ; and he often said, with tears : "Oh, dear
Giovanni, thou knowest how thou didst promise that
I should only be parted from thee for a little while,
and that after a few days I should rejoin thee. Thou
hast never told me a lie ; may God grant that these
words may come true. Have pity on me, dear
Giovanni, for although I am with my good com
panions, I feel very lonely without thee. When will
the happy time come that I may see thee ? Woe
is me ! for my banishment is prolonged." And in
words like these he continually gave vent to his
sorrow.

But the good God, who always listens to His

SICKNESS OF FRANCESCO VINCENTI. 165

servants, willed to grant his holy desire ; and as for
His sake he and the Blessed Giovanni had together
endured much worldly suffering, so it was His Will
that they should enjoy eternal happiness together,
and He visited Francesco with a great fever. When
this good man felt it come upon him he was filled
with joy, and said, with S. John Baptist, "Blessed
art thou, 0 Lord, who hast remembered me." His
sickness increased daily, but the brave Francesco
bore it very patiently, for he hoped that he should
die, and join his beloved Giovanni in eternal life.
And in his suffering he said : " Oh, Blessed Giovanni,
I see now that thou bearest me the same love in
death as thou didst in life, since God has heard thy
prayers on my behalf."

166 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE LYII.

Hoiv the Blessed Francesco 'died fifteen days after the
Death of the Blessed Giovanni.

|S his sickness increased, he demanded the
Holy Viaticum of Christ's Body, and when
Ser Ghero, Eector of the Church of S. Desiderio in
Siena, brought him the Most Holy Sacrament, Fran
cesco humbly knelt before It; and after confessing
how ungrateful he had been for the blessings God
had granted him, and that he was the greatest
sinner in the world, he said some words in the same
form and manner as his father in Christ, the Blessed
Giovanni, had done, dictating them also to Benedetto
di Pace of the city of Castello. This was on the 7th
of August in the same year, in the presence of
these his poor companions, who were cited as wit
nesses : Giovanni d' Ambrogio, Gualtieri di Piero, Gio
vanni di Messer Niccolo de Malescotti, Ambrogio di
Giucca, Matteo di Meglioruccio, Domenico di Guido,
and Bartoluccio di Santi of the town of Castello.

DEATH OF FRANCESCO VINCENTI. 167

The Blessed Francesco was such a lover of holy
poverty, that when he was very ill he laid on a mat
tress out in the street, and many people from Siena
and other places visited him there, for he had a
great many friends. His wonderful and holy life had
gained him the friendship of many holy men, both
secular and religious, who, moved by their love
towards him, exhorted him to patience ; unnecessarily
so, however, for he exhorted them much more earn
estly to despise temporal things, and long for the
blessings of eternity, and they left him, very much
edified by his fervent words.

One day, some of the family of the Piccoluomini
came to see him, and as is the custom of many when
they visit sick people, they comforted him, saying :
"By God's mercy, thou wilt be cured, and be well
and happy again; trust in the Lord; " and other such
expressions. "My brothers," said the good Francesco,
"you do not know God's secret thoughts. I would
rather not recover, if that were His Will, for I am long
ing to go to Giovanni, my dear father, companion, and
brother. I do not deserve it, because of my sins, but
I hope for his merits God will count me worthy."
They talked together a little longer, and at last the
men said to Francesco : " Before we depart, we pray

168 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

thee to give us some words of counsel ; " but he
answered them kindly, saying : " That is not for me,
yet love constrains me just to say one word, and note
it well — We must not let a good opportunity pass."
And considering this saying, they left him, very much
edified.

By his wonderful patience in this sickness, and his
holy doctrine, Francesco taught every one who saw
him, especially his sorrowing companions, who were
utterly overwhelmed with grief. At last, about fifteen
days after the death of his holy father, he received
the last Sacraments with the greatest devotion, and
in the presence of his sons in Christ yielded up his
soul to God. His poor companions having lost the
bodily presence of the supporters, or rather founders
of their holy confraternity, renewed their weeping;
but though their hearts were full of sorrow, they
trusted in Jesus Christ, and in the merits and
prayers of their blessed fathers, Giovanni and Fran
cesco. And being joined by many sorrowing relations
and friends, they sang the solemn Office of the Dead
over the body of Francesco, and buried him by the
side of his father in Christ, Giovanni.

From the time that these two soldiers of Christ
gave up the world, till the day of their death, they

DEATH OF FRANCESCO VINCENTI. 169

continued to grow in holiness, and with affectionate
solicitude sought after God's glory and the salva
tion of souls ; and thus sowing the Word of God by
their holy life and doctrine, thousands of persons
were turned to repentance. It seems to me that
Isaias prophesied of these two fathers, and of the
other poor ones of Jesus Christ, who for the glory of
God endured hunger, thirst, and many other hard
ships, when he said, in the fourteenth chapter, " And
the first-born of the poor shall be fed, and the poor
shall rest with confidence;" for now in Paradise they
feed on heavenly food, and their poor brothers are
enjoying eternal rest with them.

170 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTER LVIII.

A brief Description of the Person of the Blessed
Giovanni, and of his Wisdom.

|HE Blessed Giovanni was of a fair com
plexion, and small and delicately made, but
the Blessed Francesco was strong and tall. The
Blessed Giovanni never learnt grammar, or any other
science, having from his boyhood been occupied in
mercantile affairs ; but owing to the virtues he prac
tised after his conversion, and his continual medi
tation and prayer, he was greatly endued with
learning, as his beautiful letters, burning with Di
vine wisdom, plainly show; and his charity was so
great, that he would willingly have been put to death
a hundred times a day, if he could have saved any
souls thereby. His heart was literally on fire with
Divine love, for which cause he always wore his coat
unbuttoned, showing his naked flesh ; and when
speaking of the things of God, it seemed as if he

DESCRIPTION OF HIM. 171

could hardly contain himself, so very earnest was
he. The Name of Christ was so impressed upon
his heart, that he often mentioned it ; and in one
hundred of his letters which I have read, most of
them very short, I have found this name Christ
written about 1,400 times, without the other name
which is generally joined to it. Truly his conver
sation was in heaven, and -his love to God was so
great, that he was almost consumed by it, like the
Blessed Giacopone da Todi.

Now it happened a few days after the Blessed
Giovanni had departed to the Lord, that the priest
Giovanni di Schiavo, mentioned a few pages back,
wrote to the Abbess of the Convent of Santa Bonda,
telling her how the Blessed Giovanni had revealed
to him in secret many things that were to happen,
which he was to make known to her only ; so he
said he would come and see her, and tell her every
thing by word of mouth. But it pleased God after
this to take the priest's life, and so he did not go
there, and the things were never revealed.

172 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

CHAPTEE LIX.

Of some Miracles, which, by the grace of God, were
performed ly the Blessed Giovanni after his death.

|OW it happened not long after the death of
the Blessed Giovanni, that the devil (for what
cause I know not) entered into a young woman who
lived near the convent, and tormented her greatly.
One day she fled out of her house, and her parents
followed her to bring her back. But she went on till
at last she reached the convent, and as God willed it,
she found the church door open, so she went in, and
as she passed over the grave of the Blessed Giovanni
she suddenly fell down in a swoon. When her parents
came up to her they began to rub her with good wine,
and by the grace of the merciful God, when she came
to herself, she was perfectly cured, and entirely freed
from the evil spirit. When her parents asked how
it was that she had been so suddenly cured, she said
that when she stepped upon the saint's grave the

MIRACLES DONE BY HIM. 173

devil fled away, and she declared that it was the saint
who was buried there who had delivered her from that
evil spirit ; and so they took her home, healed and set
free, praising and thanking God and the Blessed Gio
vanni, and the young woman told everybody who
asked her about it of the mercy she had miraculously
received. This miracle was published throughout the
city and province of Siena, and this being the case,
the sisters, inspired by God, with great solemnity, and
in the presence of many priests, caused that holy
body to be disinterred, in order to remove it to a
place more worthy of it. On opening the coffin, they
found that all the flowers and sweet- smelling herbs
with which his poor brothers had covered him were
turned into mud and water, but the precious body
was whole and sound, as if it had been only just
buried. They removed him with great solemnity and
devotion inside the church of this convent, inhabited
by nuns only, and here they put him into a beautiful
coffin which his venerable wife had had made for him,
on which was painted the figure of our Lord Jesus
Christ, also those of the Blessed Giovanni and Fran
cesco ; and this was seventeen months after his holy
death. Here he was held in such great veneration,
that many people devoutly came to see him.

174 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

God was graciously pleased to work another miracle
in one of the lay sisters of the convent. She was
afflicted with a sore disease in the thumb of her right
hand, which the doctors had for a long time tried to
cure ; but as she grew worse instead of better, and the
thumb had begun to mortify, they decided on taking
it off, to prevent the mortification spreading over the
hand. On hearing this the sister had recourse to
prayer, with much faith, humility, and contrition for
her sins, devoutly praying God, that by the merits of
the Blessed Giovanni, He would restore her to health,
so that she might not lose her thumb. She also
affectionately and reverently prayed the Blessed Gio
vanni to intercede with God for the healing of her
sore; and having passed the whole night in prayer,
when, the morning came, she, full of faith, unfastened
the bandage round her hand, and found her thumb
was healed, and as sound as the other fingers, except
that it had no nail. When she saw this miracle she
heartily thanked God and the Blessed Giovanni, and
again had recourse to earnest and faithful prayer to
God and the Blessed Giovanni, that the nail might
be restored, which prayer God in His mercy granted,
seeing her pure faith. All the sisters, greatly mar
velling at this miracle, returned thanks to God, and

MIRACLES DONE BY HIM. 175

when the doctors came and found the diseased finger
whole as the others, they also, greatly wondering at
this sign, thanked God, and published it throughout
Siena, and many people went to the convent and
certified themselves of the miracle.

The holy body of the Blessed Giovanni being thus
honourably and reverently kept in the coffin above
mentioned, many people devoutly came to see it ; and
when, in time of war, the sisters for greater safety
went to stay at Siena, they always had it taken to that
monastery. But afterwards, to prevent the necessity
of removing it in time of war, they caused a secret
vault to be built in the church, in which they kept it,
and here it remained whole and sound for twenty
years. But as the devotion and frequent visits of
the people increased, the chaplain of the convent,
Giovanni d'Ambrogio, who has often been mentioned
before, fearing that the coming and going of so
many people might in future distract the minds of
the sisters, or for some other reason, once, when
they were gone to Siena in time of war, arranged, so
report says, that the water from a pipe in the roof
should secretly drop upon the vault, so as to corrupt
that holy body, hoping that when the flesh was
wasted away such a multitude would not come to see

176 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

it. And so the sisters found it all corrupted except
one foot, which remains entire and without blemish
to this day. The venerable wife of the Blessed
Giovanni lived some years after his death. She prac
tised much self-mortification, and spent most of her
time in her private oratory, praying, or reading some
religious book, of which she had many. She was
very charitable, and often gave away food to the poor,
especially to the poor Gesuati, who when they came
to Siena lodged at her house, as they did when the
Blessed Giovanni was living ; and in the year 1371
she made her will, and desired that she might be
buried as a nun in the Convent of Santa Bonda.
Soon after this she yielded up her soul to God, and
was buried in the convent with much honour and de
votion.

Now it happened while the venerable and holy
Paola was Abbess of Santa Bonda, that a woman
called Nutina, who was possessed of the devil, was
taken to the holy body of the Blessed Giovanni, and
the Abbess and other devout sisters sought by psalms,
prayers, and other words, to force the evil spirit to
depart from her. At last the Abbess said to it : "I
command thee, by the power of Jesus Christ, and the
merits of the Blessed Giovanni, to come out of this

MIRACLES DONE BY HIM. 177

woman, and to give us some sign that thou hast de
parted." The devil replied, "What sign wilt thou
have?" "Go into that lamp which is before the
altar," said the Abbess. "I cannot go there," he
said, " for I am not worthy." The Abbess answered,
" Do as thou wilt, only give us some sign of thy
departure." Then the woman was delivered from the
unclean spirit, and in a wine cellar of the convent,
where there was a well of water, there came such
a smell of sulphur, that for three weeks the sisters
were unable to enter it.

There was a very devout and self-denying lady, the
wife of Messer Martino di Simone, a citizen of Siena,
and during the pestilence of the year 1400, she gave
away to the sick poor so much of a very good wine
which they possessed, that a cask was emptied only
a few days after it had been tapped. Upon this she
began to weep bitterly for fear of her husband, who
was a very hard, severe man ; and in her necessity
she prayed most earnestly and humbly to the Blessed
Giovanni, that he would free her from this trouble.
As soon as she had finished her prayer she found the
cask was full, so that even Messer Martino wondered
afterwards that it was so long in emptying.

A venerable citizen of Siena, called Marco Ciotti,
13.

178 LIFE OF B. GIOVANNI COLOMBINI.

who had no children, prayed to the Blessed Giovanni,
and immediately afterwards his wife conceived, and
a son was born to him, whom he called Giacopo; and
after this another, and he was called Einaldo.

In the month of July, A.D. 1435, a poor woman,
Francesco di Meo dello Scassa, being possessed with
a devil, was taken to the body of the Blessed Giovanni,
and by his merits she was, in the presence of the
sisters, delivered from the evil spirit.

Cecco di Buenaventura Colombini, an honoured
citizen of Siena, having no sons, devoutly prayed to
the Blessed Giovanni, and promised, that if God gave
him a son, he would make him, as far as lay in his
power, one of the poor Gesuati. After this vow his
wife conceived, and bore him a son. He called him
Giovampiero, and clothed him in the habit of the
Gesuati.

Here ends the holy life of the Blessed Giovanni di
Piero di Jacopo Colombini, written by Feo di Feo
di Jacopo Belcari, a citizen of Florence, A.D. 1448.

git omnibus gloriftwiwr Jims.

R. WASHBOURNE, PRINTER, 18 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.

(Bmtanm ibxs 0f tlat

SECOND SERIES.

1. IT is proposed to publish a Second Series of the Lives
of the Modern Saints, translated from foreign languages, and
to bring out two or more volumes in the year.

2. The works translated from will be in most cases the Lives
drawn up for or from, the processes of canonisation or beatifi
cation, as being more full, more authentic, and more replete
with anecdote, thus enabling the reader to become better
acquainted with the Saint's disposition and spirit; while the
simple matter-of-fact style of the narrative is, from its un
obtrusive character, more adapted for spiritual reading than
the views, and generalisations, and apologetic extenuations
of more recent biographers.

3. The objects are those stated at the commencement of the
First Series : viz., 1. To supply English Catholics with a
cabinet -library of interesting as well as edifying reading,
especially for families, schools, and religious refectories, which
would for many reasons be particularly adapted for these tunes,
and would, with God's blessing, act as a counter-influence to
the necessarily deadening and chining effects winch the neigh
bourhood of heresy and the consequent prevalence of earthly
principles and low views of grace may have on the temper and
habits of mind even of the faithful: 2. To present to our
other countrymen a number of samples of the fruit which the
system, doctrine, and moral discipline established by the holy
and blessed Council of Trent have produced, and which will be,

to inquirers really in earnest about their souls, an argument
more cogent than any that mere controversy can allege : and
3. To spread the honour and love of the ever-blessed Queen of
Saints, by showing how greatly an intense devotion to her
aided in forming those prodigies of heroic virtue with which the
Holy Ghost has been pleased to adorn the Church since the
schism of Luther, more than in almost any previous times ;
while the same motive will prevent the Series being confined to
modern saints exclusively.

4. The work is published with the permission and approval
of superiors. Every volume containing the Life of a person
not yet canonised or beatified by the Church will be prefaced
by a protest in conformity with the decree of Urban VIII., and
in all Lives which introduce questions of mystical theology
great care will be taken to publish nothing which has not had
adequate sanction, or without the reader being informed of the
nature and amount of the sanction.

Post 8vo, with Portrait, price 5s. each.

Vol. 1. The Life of S. Bernardine of Siena,

MINOR OBSERVANTINE. Now ready.

2. The Life of S. Philip Benizi,

FIFTH GENERAL OF THE SERVITES. Now ready.

3. The Life of S. Veronica Giuliani,

and Blessed Battista Varani.

Now ready.

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E. WASHBOUBNE, 18 PATEENOSTEB BOW.

R. WASHBOURNE'S

JULY

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8 R. WashbournJs Catalogue.

The Spiritual Life. — Conferences delivered to the
Enfants de Marie by Pere Ravignan. Cr. 8vo. 55.

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minster Gazette. " A depth of eloquence and power of exhortation
which few living preachers can rival." — Church Re-view.

Lenten Thoughts. Drawn from the Gospel for each
day in Lent. By the Bishop of Northampton.
is. 6d. ; stronger bound, 25. j red edges, 25. 6d.

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Contemplations on the Most Holy Sacrament of the
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One Hundred Pious Reflections. Extracted from
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from THE RIGHT REV. DR. ULLATHORNE, BISHOP OF BIRMING
HAM. "Well selected, sufficiently short, and printed in good bold
type." — Tablet. "Good, sound practical reflections." — Church
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The Imitation of Christ. With reflections. 321110.
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Following of Christ. Small pocket edition, with initial
letters, is. ; embossed red edges, is. 6d. ; roan,
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45. 6d. ; calf or morocco extra gilt, 55. 6d. ; ivory,
155. and i6s. ; morocco antique, 175. 6d. ;
russia antique, 205.

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J?. Washbournds Catalogue.

Conversion of the Teutonic Race. By Mrs. Hope,
author of " Early Martyrs." Edited by the Rev.
Father Dalgairns. 2 vols. crown 8vo. 125.

I. Conversion of the Franks and the English, 6s.

II. S. Boniface and the Conversion of Germany, 6s.
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are to scholars, are still utterly unknown by most of the writers of
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Cistercian Order : its Mission and Spirit. Comprising
the Life of S. Robert of Newminster, and the Life
of S. Robert of Knaresborough. By the author
of " Cistercian Legends." Crown 8vo. 33. 6d.

Cistercian Legends of the i3th Century. Translated
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"Most beautiful legends, full of deep spiritual reading."— Tablet.
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The Directorium Asceticum ; or, Guide to the Spiritual
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"The selections on every subject are numerous, and the order
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priceless volume."— Universe. " Most suitable for meditation and
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10 R. Washbourne's Catalogue.

The Oxford Undergraduate of Twenty Years Ago :
his Religion, his Studies, his Antics. By a
Bachelor of Arts. [Author of "The Comedy of
Convocation."] 25. 6d. ; cloth, 35. 6d.

"The writing is full of brilliancy and point."— Tablet. "Time
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The Infallibility of the Pope. A Lecture. By the
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which to put before others what he himself knows so well. —Uni
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Comedy of Convocation in the English Church.
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The Harmony of Anglicanism. Report of a Con
ference on Church Defence. [By T. W. M. Mar
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Consoling Thoughts of St. Francis de Sales. By Pere

Huguet. i8mo., 2s.
Holy Readings. Short Selections from well-known

Authors. By J. R. Digby Beste, Esq. 321110.

cloth, 2S. ; cloth, red edges, 25. 6d. ; roan, 35. ;

morocco, 6s. [See "Catholic Hours/' p. 23.]
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JR. Washbourne's Catalogue. n

St. Peter; his Name and his Office as set forth in
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"A standard work. There is no single book in English, on the
Catholic side, which contains the Scriptural argument about St.
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— Weekly Register. ' ' A second edition, with a new and very
touching preface." — Dublin Review.

Complete Works of Saint John of the Cross. 2 vols,

8vo. 283.

The Roman Question. By Dr. Husenbeth. is.
The Knight of the Faith. By the Rev. Dr. Laing.

1. A Favourite Fallacy about Private Judgment and

Inquiry, id.

2. Catholic not Roman Catholic. 4d.

3. Rationale of the Mass. is.

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and all Protestant Denominations, id.

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and Spelling Book of Christian Philosophy. 4d.

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Church. Yearly. Price 6d.
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Catholic Unity. By H. N. Oxenham. 25. 6d.
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Fcap. 8vo. is.; cloth, 2s. ; cloth extra, 35.
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8vo. cloth, ys, 6d. ; 1869-70, is.
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French morocco, 35.

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12 ft. Washbourne's Catalogue.

Men and Women of the English Reformation, from
the days of Wolsey to the death of Cranmer. By
S. H. Burke, M.A. 2 vols. 135. Vol. ii., 6s. 6d.

" It contains a great amount of curious and useful information,
gathered together with evident care." — Dublin Review. " In
teresting and valuable." — Tablet. "It is, in truth, the only dis
passionate record of a much contested epoch we have ever read."
— Cosmopolitan. "It is so forcibly, but truthfully written, that it
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Pere Lacordaire's Conferences. God, 6s. Jesus Christ,
6s. God and Man, 6s.

A Devout Paraphrase on the Seven Penitential Psalms ;
or, a Practical Guide to Repentance. By the
Rev. Fr. Blyth. To which is added : — Necessity
of Purifying the Soul, by St. Francis of Sales.
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1 ' A new edition of a book well known to our grandfathers. The
work is full of devotion and of the spirit of prayer."— Universe. ' ' A
very excellent work, and ought to be in the hands of every Catholic."
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A New Miracle at Rome ; through the Intercession of

Blessed John Berchmans. 2d.
Cure of Blindness ; through the Intercession of Our

Lady and St. Ignatius. 2d.
Diary of a Confessor of the Faith. i2mo. is.

BY THE POOR CLARES OF KENMARE.

Book of the Blessed Ones. 45. 6d.

A Nun's Advice to her Girls. 25. 6d.

Daily Steps to Heaven. Fcap. 8vo. 45. 6d.

Jesus and Jerusalem ; or, the Way Home. 45. 6d.

The Spouse of Christ. Crown 8vo. 75. 6d.

The Ecclesiastical Year. Fcap. 43. 6d. ; calf, 6s. 6d.

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JR. WashbournJs Catalogue. 13

A Homely Discourse ; Mary Magdalen. Cr. 8vo. 6d.
Extemporaneous Speaking. By Rev. T. J. Potter. 55.
Pastor and People. By Rev. T. J. Potter. 6s.
Meditations on the Veni Sancte Spiritus. is.
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Popes. By the Rev. Father Lockhart. is.
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Fr. Lockhart. is.
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Lockhart. is. j cloth, is. 6d.
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Rev. W. R. Bernard Brownlow. Svo. ist Letter,

6d. ; 2nd Letter, is.
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Burke. By Professor Robertson. Crown Svo.

cloth, 55.
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and Biography. Crown Svo. cloth, 6s.
Sursum, is. Homeward, 25. Both by Rev. Fr. Rawes.
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Spalding, Archbishop of Baltimore, is.
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BY DR. MANNING, ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER.

The Convocation in Crown and Council. 6d. net.
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BY THE PASSIONIST FATHERS.

The School of Jesus Crucified. 35. 6d. ; morocco, 55.
The Manual of the Cross and Passion. 321110. 25. 6d.
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The Christian Armed. 321110. is. 6d. ; mor. 35. 6d.
Guide to Sacred Eloquence. 2S.

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14 JR. Washbournts Catalogue.

Religious Instruction.
The Catechism of Christian Doctrine. Approved for

the use of the Faithful in all the Dioceses of

England and Wales. Price id. ; cloth, 2d.
The Catechism, Illustrated with Passages from the

Holy Scriptures. Arranged by the Rev. J. B.

Bagshawe, with Imprimatur. Crown 8vo. 25. 6d.
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to find the truth." — Extract from the Preface.

"An excellent idea. The very thing of all others that is needed
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do incalculable good. Our priests will hail with pleasure so valu
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schools its value will be equally recognized." — Weekly Register.
1 ' A work of great merit. " — Church Herald. ' ' We can hardly wish
for anything better, either in intention or in performance." — The
Month. "Very valuable." — Diiblin Review.

A Dogmatic Catechism. By Frassinetti. Translated
from the original Italian by the Oblate Fathers
of St. Charles. With a Preface by His Grace
the Archbishop of Westminster. Fcap. 8vo. 33.

1 ' We give a few extracts from Frassinetti's work, as samples of
its excellent execution." — Dublin Review. "Needs no commenda
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A First Sequel to the Catechism. By the Rev. J.
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Catechism, and yet have nothing else to fall back upon for higher

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teachers as to pupils who belong to the higher standards in our

Catholic poor schools." — Weekly Register.

Catechism made Easy. A Familiar Explanation of

" The Catechism of Christian Doctrine." By the

Rev. H. Gibson. Fcap. 8vo. Vol. I., 45. 6d.

Vol. II., 45. 6d.

The Monitor of the Association of Prayer. Monthly,
id. Volume, 2s. Notices, 6s. 1000. Prints,
75. 6d. 1000. Zelator's Cards, 103. 1000.

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R. WashbournJs Catalogue. 15

The Threshold of the Catholic Crrirch. A course of
Plain Instructions for those entering her Com
munion. By Rev. J. B. Bagshawe. Cr. 8vo. 43.

"A scholarly, well -written book, fall of information. "—Church
Herald. "An admirable book, which will be of infinite service to
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hausts so entirely the various subjects of instruction necessary for
our converts, that few missionary priests will care to dispense with
its assistance."— Register. " It has very special merits of its own. .
It is the work, not only of a thoughtful writer and good theologian,
but of a wise and experienced priest."— Dublin Review. "Its
characteristic is the singular simplicity and clearness with which
everything is explained. . . It will save priests hours and days of
time."— Tablet. " There is much in it with which we thoroughly
agree."— Church Times. "There was a great want of a manual of
instruction for convents, and the want has now been supplied, and in
the most satisfactory manner." — The Month.

Descriptive Guide to the Mass. By the Rev. Dr.
Laing. is. ; extra cloth, is. 6d.

"An attempt to exhibit the structure of the Mass. The logical
relation of parts is ingeniously effected by an elaborate employment
of differences of type, so that the classification, down to the minutest
subdivision, may at once be caught by the eye."— Tablet.

Protestant Principles Examined by the Written Word.
Originally entitled, " The Protestant's Trial by
the Written Word." New edition. i8mo. is.

"An excellent book."— Church News. " A good specimen of the
concise controversial writing of English Catholics in the early part of
the seventeenth century."— Catholic Opinion. ' '_ A little book which
might be consulted profitably by any Catholic." — Church Times.
"A clever little manual."— Westminster Gazette. " A useful little
volume."— The Month. "An excellent little book. "— Weekly Re
gister. ' ' A well-written and well-argued treatise. "— Tablet.

Fleury's Historical Catechism. Large edition, i£d.
The Necessity of Enquiry as to Religion. By Henry

John Pye, M.A. 4d. ; for distribution, 203. a

hundred; cloth, 6d.

"Mr. Pye is particularly plain and straightforward." — Tablet.
"It is calculated to do much good. We recommend it to the
clergy, and think it a most useful work to place in the hands of all
who are under instruction. "— Westminster Gazette. ' ' A thoroughly
searching little pamphlet."— Universe. "A clever little pamphlet.
Each point is treated briefly and clearly." — Catholic Opinion.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

\

1 6 R. Washbourne's Catalogue.

The Grounds of Catholic Doctrine. By Dr. Chal-
loner. Large type edition. i8mo. cloth, 4d.

Dr. Butler's First Catechism, |d. Second Catechism,
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Dr. Doyle's Catechism, i|d.

Lessons on the Christian Doctrine, id.

Bible History for the use of Catholic Schools and
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Herder's Prints — Old and New Testament. 40 large
coloured pictures. 125. nett.

Origin and Progress of Religious Orders, and Happi
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with the great advantages attached to a religious life." — Register.

Children of Mary in the World. 32mo. id.
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de Se'gur. Translated for children, is.
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Segur. Translated for children. 6d.
The Young Catholic's Guide to Confession and Holy

Communion. By Dr. Kenny. Third edition.

Paper, 4d. ; cloth, 6d. ; cloth, red edges, gd.

" Admirably suited to the purpose for which it is intended." —
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A General Catechism of the Christian Doctrine. By
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Explanation of the Epistles and Gospels, &c. By the
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Life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Blessed
Lord. Translated from Ribadeneira. is.

Butler's Lives of the Saints. 2 vols., 8vo., cloth, 283.;
or in cloth gilt, 345. ; or in 4 vols., 8vo., cloth,
325. ; or in cloth gilt, 483. ; or in leather gilt, 643.

R. Washbourne, 1 8 Paternoster Row, London.

R. Washbournes Catalogue. 17

Anglican Orders. By the Very Rev. Canon Williams.
Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 35. 6d.

Indulgences, Absolutions, &c. By Rev. Dr. Green.
45. 6d.

Auricular Confession. By Rev. Dr. Melia. is. 6d.

The Rainy Day, and Guild of Our Lady. By the
Rev. Fr. Richardson. 2d.

The Crusade, or Catholic Association for the Sup
pression of Drunkenness. By the Rev. Fr.
Richardson, id.

Little by Little ; or, the Penny Bank. By the Rev.
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Temperance Tracts. No. i. An Instructive and In
teresting Dialogue, id.

A Letter to George Augustus Simcox, Esq. By One
who has lately been received into the Church. 6d.

The Christian Teacher. By Ven. de la Salle. is. 8d.

Christian Politeness. By the Ven. de la Salle. is.

Duties of a Christian. By the Ven. de la Salle. 25.

The Monks of lona and the Duke of Argyll. By the
Rev. J. Stewart M'Corry, D.D. 8vo. 35. 6d.

Lives of Saints, &c.

Life of the Ven. Anna Maria Taigi. Translated
from the French of Calixte, by A. V. Smith
Sligo. 8vo. 55.

"A most valuable book." — Dublin Review. "An edifying and
delightful book of spiritual reading." — Church Herald. " We hope
to see it meet with that success which works of the sort have a right
to expect." — Westminster Gazette. ."The translator's labour has
been so ably performed that the book is wanting in few of the merits
of an original work." — Tablet.

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi. Translated from
the Italian of St. Bonaventure by Miss Lockhart.
With a Preface by His Grace the Archbishop of
Westminster. Fcap, 8vo. cloth, 25. and 33.; gilt, 43.

" It is beautifully translated." — Catholic Opinion. "A most in
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translation by one of the very few persons who have the art of trans
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1 8 R. Washbourne's Catalogue.

Oratorian Lives of the Saints. Second Series. Vol. I. —

S. Bernardine of Siena. Post 8vo. 53.

Vol. II.— S. Philip Benizi. Post 8vo. 55.

Vol. III. — S. Veronica Giuliani, and Blessed

Battista Varani. Post 8vo. 53.

i. It is proposed to publish a Second Series of the Lives of the
Modern Saints, translated from foreign languages, and to bring out
two or more volumes in the year. 2. The works translated from
will be in most cases the Lives drawn up for or from the processes
of canonization or beatification, as being more full, more authentic,
and more replete with anecdote, thus enabling the reader to become
better acquainted with the Saint's disposition and spirit ; while the
simple matter-of-fact style of the narrative is, from its unobtrusive
character, more adapted for spiritual reading than the views and
generalizations, and prologetic extenuations of more recent bio
graphers. 3. The objects are those stated at the commencement of
the First Series, viz., i. To supply English Catholics with a cabinet-
library of interesting as well as edifying reading, especially for fami
lies, schools, and religious refectories, which would for many reasons
be particularly adapted for these times, and would with God's bless
ing act as a counter influence to the necessarily deadening and
chilling effects which the neighbourhood of heresy and the conse
quent prevalence of earthly principles and low views of grace may
have on the temper and habits of mind even of the faithful ; 2. To
present to our other countrymen a number of samples of the fruit
which the system, doctrine, and moral discipline established by the
holy and blessed Council of Trent have produced, and which will be
to inquirers really in earnest about their souls, an argument more
cogent than any that mere controversy can allege ; and 3. To spread
the honour and love of the ever-blessed Queen of Saints, by showing-
how greatly an intense devotion to her aided in forming those prodi
gies of heroic virtue with which the Holy Ghost has been pleased to
adorn the Church since the schism of Luther, more than in almost
any previous times ; while the same motive will prevent the Series
being confined to modern saints exclusively. 4. The work is pub
lished with the permission and approval of superiors. Every volume
containing the Life of a person not yet canonized or beatified by the
Church will be prefaced by a protest in conformity with the decree
of Urban VIII., and in all Lives which introduce questions of
mystical theology great care will be taken to publish nothing which
has not Lad adequate sanction, or without the reader being informed
of the nature and amount of the sanction.

Life of Fr. de Ravignan. Crown 8vo. 93.

The Pilgrimage to Paray le Monial, with a brief notice

of the Blessed Margaret Mary. 6d.
Patron Saints. By Eliza Allen Starr. Cr. 8vo. IDS.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

R. Washbournds Catalogue. 19

Life of St. Boniface, and the Conversion of Germany.
By Mrs. Hope. Edited, with a Preface, by the
Rev. Father Dalgairns. Cr. 8vo. 6s.
"Every one knows the story of S. Boniface's martyrdom, but

every one has not heard it so stirringly set forth as in her 22nd

chapter by Mrs. Hope." — Dublin Review.

Louise Lateau: her Life, Stigmata, and Ecstacies. By
Dr. Lefebvre. Translated from the French by T. S.
Shepard. Fcap. 8vo. 23. ; cheap edition, 6d.
Venerable Mary Christina of Savoy. 6d.
Memoirs of a Guardian Angel. Fcap. 8vo. 43.
Life of St. Patrick. 12 mo. is.

Life of St. Bridget, and of other Saints of Ireland, is.
Insula Sanctorum : the Island of Saints, is. ; cloth, 23.
Life of Paul Seigneret, Seminarist of Saint-Sulpice.

Fcap. 8vo., is. ; cloth extra, is. 6d. ; gilt, 23.
" An affecting and well-told narrative. . . It will be a great fa
vourite, especially with our pure-minded, high-spirited young people."
— Universe. ' ' Paul Seigneret was remarkable for the simplicity and
the heroism of both his natural and his religious character." — Tablet.
"We commend it to parents with sons under their care, and espe
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cation and training of our Catholic youth." — Register.

A Daughter of St. Dominic." By Grace Ramsay.
Fcap. 8vo. is. 6d. ; cloth extra, 23.

" A beautiful little work. The narrative is highly interesting. "-
Dublin Review. "It is full of courage and faith and Catholic
heroism." — Universe. " One who has lived and died in our own
day, who led the common life of every one else, but yet who learned
how to supernaturalize this life in so extraordinary a way that we
forget ' the doctor's daughter in a provincial town,' while reading
Grace Ramsay's beautiful picture of the wonders effected by her
ubiquitous charity, and still more by her fervent prayer." — Tablet.
"The spirit of thorough devotion to Rome manifest in every page
of this charming work will render it most attractive to Leaguers of
St. Sebastian." — The Crusader.

The Glory of St. Vincent de Paul. By the Most Rev.

Dr. Manning, Archbishop of Westminster, is.
DR. NEWMAN'S LIVES OF THE ENGLISH SAINTS.
Life of St. Augustine of Canterbury. i2mo. 33. 6d.
Life of St. German. i2mo. cloth, 33. 6d.
Life of Stephen Langton. 121110. cloth, 23. 6d.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

20 ./?. Washbournes Catalogue.

His Eminence Cardinal Wiseman ; with full account
of his Obsequies ; Funeral Oration by Archbishop
Manning, &c. is. ; cloth, red edges, is. 6d.

Count de Montalembert. By George White. 6d.

Life of Mgr. Weedall. By Dr. Husenbeth. 35. 6d.

Life of Pope Pius IX. 6d.

Life of Rev. Fr. Pallotti. By Rev. Dr. Melia. 45.

BY THE POOR CLARES OF KENMARE.

Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude. Cr. 8vo. 75. 6d.

Spirit of St. Gertrude. i8mo. 25. 6d.

Life of St. Aloysius. 6d. ; St. Joseph, 6d., cloth, pd. ;

St. Patrick, 6d., cloth, pd.
Life of St. Patrick. Illustrated by Doyle. 41.0. 203.

Our Lady.
Life of the Ever-Blessed Virgin. Proposed as a Model

to Christian Women. TS.
A May Chaplet, and other Verses for the Month of

Mary. Translated and Original. By the Rev.

Fr. Kenelm Digby Beste, of the Oratory. With

Imprimatur. Square i6mo., cloth, 43. ; gilt, 55.
"The Rev. Fr. Beste is the latest and not the least worthy singer
of the Virgin's praises. Both as a translator and as an independent
composer, Fr. Beste's book is very laudable. He is gifted with very
considerable pathetic power, and his style of expression is simple
and chaste. His choice of metre is usually very happy, and the
melody of his verses leaves nothing to be desired. But the great
charm of his volume is its manifest sincerity." — Dublin Review.

Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes : a Faithful Narrative of
the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the
Rocks of Massabielle, near Lourdes, in the year
1858. By F. C. Husenbeth, D.D., V.G., and Pro
vost of Northampton. i8mo. 6d. ; cloth is. :
with Novena, is. ; cloth, is. 6d. Novena, sepa
rately, 4d. j Litany, separately, id.

Month of Mary for Interior Souls. By M. A. Mac-
daniel. i8mo. 23.

Concise Portrait of the Blessed Virgin, is. per 100.

The Definition of the Immaculate Conception. 6d.

R. Washbourne, 1 8 Paternoster Row, London.

J?. WashbournJs Catalogue. 21

Devotion to Our Lady in North America. By the
Rev. Xavier Donald Macleod. 8vo. 53. cash.

"The work of an author than whom few more gifted writers have
ever appeared among us. It is not merely a religious work, but it has
all the charms of an entertaining book of travels. We can hardly
find words to express our high admiration of it." — Weekly Register.

The History of the Blessed Virgin. By the Abbe
Orsini. Translated from the French by the Very
Rev. F. C. Husenbeth, D.D. With eight Illus
trations. Crown 8vo. 35. 6d.

The Blessed Virgin's Root traced in the Tribe of
Ephraim. By the Rev. Dr. Laing. 8vo. zos. 6d.

Month of Mary, principally for the use of religious
communities. i8mo. is. 6d.

Readings for the Feasts of Our Lady, and especially
for the Month of May. By the Rev. A. P. Bethell.
i8mo. is. 6d. ; cheap edition, is.

A Devout Exercise in Honour of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. From the Psalter and Prayers of S.
Bonaventure. In Latin and English, with Indul
gences applicable to the Holy Souls. 321110. is.

The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception. In
Latin and English. By the Very Rev. Dr. Hu
senbeth. 32mo. 4d. ; cloth, 6d. ; roan, is.; calf or
morocco, 25. 6d.

Our Lady's Lament, and the Lamentation of St.
Mary Magdalene. 23.

Life of Our Lady in Verse. 23.

The Virgin Mary. By Dr. Melia. 8vo. us. 3d. cash.

Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Angels, is. per 100.

Litany of Our Lady of Angels, is. per 100.

Origin of the Blue Scapular, id.

Prayer-Books.

Washbourne's Edition of the " Garden of the Soul," in
medium-sized type (small type as a rule being
avoided). For prices see page 4.

The Little Garden. 6d., 9d., is., is. 6d., and upwards.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

22 R. Washbonrne 's Catalogue.

The Lily of St. Joseph ; a little Manual of Prayers
and Hymns for Mass. Price 2d. ; cloth, 36. ; or
with gilt lettering, 40!. ; more strongly bound, 6d. ;
or with gilt edges, 8d. ; roan, is.; French morocco,
is. 6d. ; calf, or morocco, 23. ; gilt, 25. 6d.
"It supplies a want which has long been felt ; a prayer-book for
children, which is not a childish book, a handy book for boys and
girls, and for men and women too, if they wish for a short, easy-to-
read, and devotional prayer-book." — Catholic Opinion. "A very
complete prayer-book. It will be found very useful for children and
for travellers." — Weekly Register. ' ' A neat little compilation, which
will be specially useful to our Catholic School-children. The hymns
it contains are some of Fr. Faber's best." — Universe.

Life of Our Lord Commemorated in the Mass ; a
Method of Assisting at the Holy Sacrifice. By
the Rev. E. G. Bagshawe, of the Oratory. 321110.
3d. ; cloth, 4d. ; roan, is. ; French morocco,
is. 6d. ; calf or morocco, 23. 6d.

Garden of the Soul, in large type. Roan, gilt edges,
2S. ; French morocco, 35., clasp and rims, 45. 6d.;
French morocco, antique, 35. 6d. ; calf, 53.; mo
rocco, 6s. 6d. ; roan, sprinkled edges, with Epis
tles and Gospels, 2s. All the other styles with
Epistles and Gospels, 6d. extra.

Path to Paradise. 36 full page Illustrations. Cloth,
3d. With 50 Illustrations, cloth, 4d.

Manual of Catholic Devotion. Small, for the waist
coat pocket. 6d. ; roan, is. ; calf or morocco, 25.

Ursuline Manual. Persian calf, ys. 6d. ; morocco, los.

Crown of Jesus. Persian calf, 6s.; morocco, 75. 6d.
and 8s. 6d., with rims, los. 6d. ; morocco, extra
gilt, IDS. 6d., with rims, 123. 6d. ; ivory, with
rims, 2 is., 255., 275. 6d. and 305.

Burial of the Dead (Adults and Infants) in Latin and
English. Royal 3 2 mo. cloth, 6d. ; roan, is. 6d.
" Being in a portable form, will be found useful by those who are

called upon to assist at that solemn rite." — Tablet.

In Suffragiis Sanctorum. Commem S. Josephi. Com-
mem S. Georgii. Set of five for 4d.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

jR. WashbournJs Catalogue. 23

Sacred Heart of Jesus offered to the Piety of the Young

engaged in Study. By Rev. A. Deham, S.J. 6d.

" Complete little Manual of Devotion to the Sacred Heart, and as

such will be valued by Catholics of every age and .station." — Tablet.

Treasury of the Sacred Heart. With Epistles and
Gospels. i8mo. cloth, 33. 6d. ; roan, 45. 6d.

Little Treasury of the Sacred Heart. 321110. 25.

Devotions to Sacred Heart of Jesus. By the Rt. Rev.
Dr. Milner. New Edition. To which is added
Devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
3d. ; cloth, 6d. ; gilt, is.

Manual of Devotion to the Sacred Heart, from the
Writings of Bl. Margaret Mary Alacoque. By
Denys Casassayas. Translated. 3d.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart, id.

Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart, is. per 100.

The Little Prayer-Book for Ordinary Catholic Devo
tions. Cloth, 3d.

Missal (complete). Persian calf, 8s. 6d. ; morocco,
i os. 6d., with rims, 133. 6d. ; morocco, extra gilt,
i2S. 6d., with rims, 155. 6d. ; morocco, with turn
over edges, 135. 6d.; morocco antique, 155. ; russia
antique, 2os. ; ivory, with rims, 313. 6d.

Manual of Catholic Piety, containing a selection of
Fervent Prayers, Pious Reflections, and Solid In
structions, adapted to every State of Life. Edition
with green border. French mor., 25. 6d. ; mor., 43.

Occasional Prayers for Festivals. By Rev. T. Barge.
32mo. 4d. and 6d. ; gilt, is.

Catholic Hpurs : a Manual of Prayer, including Mass
and Vespers. By J. R, Digby Beste, Esq. 321110.
cloth, 2s ; red edges, 23. 6d. ; roan, 33. ; morocco, 6s.

Catholic Piety. 32mo. 6d.; roan, is.; with Epistles
and Gospels, roan, is. ; French morocco, is. 6d.,
with rims and clasp, 23. ; imitation ivory, rims and
clasp, 2S. 6d. ; velvet rims and clasps, 35. 6d.

Key of Heaven. Same size and prices.

J?. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Roiv, London.

24 -/?. Washbournes Catalogue.

Manual of Devotions in Honour of Our Lady of Sor
rows. Compiled by the Clergy at St. Patrick's
Soho. i8mo. is.; cloth, red edges, is. 6d.

Novena to St. Joseph. Translated by M. A. Mac-
daniel. To which is added a Pastoral of the late
Right Rev. Dr. Grant. 32mo. 4d. ; cloth, 6d.

" All seasons are fitting in which to make Novenas to St. Joseph,
for which reason this little work will be found very serviceable at any
time." — Weekly Register.

Miraculous Prayer — August Queen of Angels, is.
per 100.

A Union of our life with the Passion of our Lord, by
a daily offering. 3 s. per i oo.

A New Year's Gift to our Heavenly Father ; or, De
dication of the First Hours of the Year, Quarter,
Month, or Week to God. 4d.

Devotions for Mass. Very large type, 2d.

Memorare Mass. By the Poor Clares of Kenmare, 2d.

Fourteen Stations of the Holy Way of the Cross. By
St. Liguori. Large type edition, id.

Prayer for one's Confessor, is. per 100.

Litany of Resignation, is. per 100.

Intentions for Indulgences. 6d. per 100.

Prayers for the Dying, is. per 100.

Indulgenced Prayers for the Rosary of the Holy
Souls, id. each, 6d. a dozen, 33. per 100.

Indulgenced Prayers for Souls in Purgatory, i s. per i oo.

Devotions to St. Joseph, is. per 100.

Devotion to St. Joseph as Patron of the Church, id.

Catholic Piety, or Key of Heaven, with Epistles and
Gospels. Large 321110, French morocco, 23. ;
with rims, 25. 6d. ; extra gilt, 33.; with rims, 35. 6d.

Douai Bible. 23. 6d. ; calf or morocco, 6s. ; gilt, 75.

Catholic Psalmist : or, Manual of Sacred Music, con
taining Vespers, Chants, Hymns, Litanies, &c.,
with the Gregorian Chants for High Mass, Holy
Week, &c. Compiled by C. B. Lyons, 45.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

R. Washbotirne* s Catalogue. 25

The Complete Hymn Book, containing 136 Hymns
for Missions, Month of Mary. Price id.

Church Hymns. By J. R. Digby Beste, Esq. 6d.

Illustrated Manual of Prayers. 321110., 3d. ; cloth, 4d.

Key of Heaven. Very large type, is. Leather 2s.6d. gilt,3S.

Catholic Choir Manual : containing Vespers for all
the Sundays and Festivals of the year, Hymns and
Litanies, &c. Compiled by C. B. Lyons, is.

The Rosary for the Souls in Purgatory, with Indul-
genced Prayer. 6d. and Qd. each. Medals sepa
rately, id. each, 95. gross. Prayers separately, id.
each, 35. per 100.

Rome, &c.

Two Years in the Pontifical Zouaves. By Joseph
Powell, Z.P. With 4 Engravings by Sergeant
Collingridge, Z.P. 8vo. 35. 6d.

1 ' It affords us much pleasure, and deserves the notice of the Catho
lic public." — Tablet. " Familiar names meet the eye on every page,
and as few Catholic circles in either country have not had a friend or
relative at one time or another serving in the Pontifical Zouaves, the
history of the formation of the corps, of the gallant youths, their
sufferings, and their troubles, will be valued as something more than
a contribution to modern Roman history." — Freeman's Journal.

The Victories of Rome. By the Rev. Fr. Kenelm

Digby Beste. Second edition, is.
The Roman Question. By F. C. Husenbeth, D.D. is.
Defence • of the Roman Church against Fr. Gratry.

By Dom Gueranger. 6d.
Personal Recollections of Rome. By W. J. Jacob,

Esq., late of the Pontifical Zouaves. 8vo. is. 6d.
Henri V. (Comte de Chambord), September 29, 1873.

By W. H. Walsh. With a Portrait. 8vo. is. 6d.
The Rule of the Pope-King. By Rev. Fr. Martin. 6d.
The Years of Peter. By an Ex-Papal Zouave, id.
The Catechism of the Council. By a D.C.L, 2d.
The Crucifixion. Coloured, on black ground. Size

2oin. by 2;in. Price 25.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

26 JR. Washbourne's Catalogue.

Tales, or Books for the Library.

Tom's Crucifix, and other Tales. By M. F. S. 33.

' ' Eight simple stories for the use of teachers of Christian doc
trine." — Universe. " This is a volume of short, plain, and simple
stories, written with the view of illustrating the Catholic religion
practically by putting Catholic practices in an interesting light
before the mental eyes of children.... The whole of the tales in the
volume before us are exceedingly well written." — Register.
Simple Tales. Square i6mo. cloth antique, 23. 6d.

" Contains five pretty stories of a true Catholic tone, interspersed
with some short pieces of poetry. . . Are very affecting, and told
in such a way as to engage the attention of any child." — Register.
" This is a little book which we can recommend with great confi
dence as a present for young readers. The tales are simple, beau
tiful, and pathetic." — Catholic Opinion. " It belongs to a class of
books of which the want is generally much felt by Catholic parents."
— Dublin Re-view. "Beautifully written. 'Little Terence' is a
gem of a Tale."— Tablet.

Fairy Tales for Little Children. By Madeleine Howley
Meehan. Fcap. is. ; cloth extra, is. 6d.; gilt, 23.

" Full of imagination and dreams, and at the same time with ex
cellent point and practical aim, within the reach of the intelligence
of infants." — Universe. "Pleasing, simple stories, combining in
struction with amusement." — Register. "A pretty little story-book
for pretty little children." — Tablet.

Terry O'Flinn's Examination of Conscience. By the
Very Rev. Dr. Tandy. Fcap. 8vo. is. 6d. ;
extra gilt, 23. ; cheap edition, is.
"The writer possesses considerable literary power." — Register.

" The idea is well sustained throughout, and when the reader comes

to the end of the book he finds the mystery solved, and that it was

all nothing but a 'dhrame.1 " — Church Times.

The Adventures of a Protestant in Search of a Reli
gion : being the Story of a late Student of
Divinity at Bunyan Baptist College ; a Noncon
formist Minister, who seceded to the Catholic
Church. By Iota. 55. ; cheap edition, 33.

"Will well repay its perusal." — Universe. "This precious vol
ume." — Baptist. "No one will deny ' Iota1 the merit of entire origi
nality." — Cii'ilian. " A valuable addition to every Catholic library."
Tablet. " There is much cleverness in it."— Nonconformist. " Ma
licious and wicked." — English Independent.

The Fisherman's Daughter. By Conscience. 45.
The Amulet. By Hendrick Conscience. 45.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

jff. WashbournJs Catalogue. 27

Rosalie ; or, the Memoirs of a French Child. Written
by herself. Fcap. 8vo.7 is. and is. 6d. ; extra

gilt, 2S.

"It is prettily told, and in a natural manner. The account of
Rosalie's illness and First Communion is very well related. We
can recommend the book for the reading of children." — Tablet.
"The tenth chapter is beautiful." — Universe.

The Story of Marie and other Tales. Fcap. 8vo., 23.;
cloth extra, 25. 6d.; gilt, 33.; or separately: — The
Story of Marie, 2d. ; Nelly Blane, and A Contrast,
2d.; A Conversion and a Death-Bed, 2d.; Herbert
Montagu, 2d. ; Jane Murphy, The Dying Gipsy,
and The Nameless Grave, 2d.; The Beggars, and
True and False Riches, 2d.; Pat and his Friend, 2d.

"A very nice little collection of stories, thoroughly Catholic in their
teaching." — Tablet. "A series of short pretty stories, told with much
simplicity."— Universe. "A number ot short pretty stories, replete
with religious teaching, told in simple language." — Weekly Register.

Margarethe Verflassen. Translated from the German
by Mrs. Smith Sligo. Fcap. 8vo. 35. ; gilt, 33. 6d.

" A portrait of a very holy and noble soul, whose life was passed
inconstant practical acts of the love of God." — Weekly Register.
"It is the picture of a true woman's life, well fitted up with the
practice of ascetic devotion and loving unwearied activity about all
the works of mercy." — Tablet.

The Last of the Catholic O'Malleys. A Tale. By

M. Taunton. i8mo. cloth, is. 6d. ; extra, 25.
"A sad and stirring tale, simply written, and sure to secure for
itself readers."— Tablet. " Deeply interesting. It is well adapted
for parochial and school libraries." — Weekly Register. "A very
pleasing tale." — The Month.

Eagle and Dove. From the French of Mademoiselle
Zenaide Fleuriot. By Emily Bowles. Cr. 8vo., 53.

" We recommend our readers to peruse this well-written story. "-
Register. " One of the very best stories we have ever dipped into."
— Church Times. "Admirable in tone and purpose." — Church
Herald. "A real gain. It possesses merits far above the pretty
fictions got up by English writers." — Dublin Review. "There is
an air of truth and sobriety about this little volume, nor is there any
attempt at sensation." — Tablet.

Rupert Aubray. By the Rev. T. J. Potter. 35.
Farley es of Farley e. By the same author. 23. 6d.
Sir Humphrey's Trial. By the same author. 23. 6d.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster fiow, London.

28 It. Washbourne's Catalogue.

Chats about the Rosary; or, Aunt Margaret's Little
Neighbours. Fcap. 8vo. 35.

"There is scarcely any devotion so calculated as the Rosary to
keep up a taste for piety in little children, and we must be grateful
for any help in applying its lessons to the daily life of those who
already love it in their unconscious tribute to its value and beauty."
— Month. " We do not know of a better book for reading aloud to
children, it will teach them to understand and to love the Rosary." —
Tablet. " A graceful little book, in fifteen chapters, on the Rosary,
illustrative of each of the mysteries, and connecting each with the
practice of some particular virtue." — Catholic Opinion.

Cistercian Legends of the i3th Century. Translated
from the Latin'by the Rev. Henry Collins. 35.

Cloister Legends : or, Convents and Monasteries in
the Olden Time. Second Edition. Cr. 8vo. 45.

The People's Martyr, a Legend of Canterbury. 43.

Keighley Hall and other Tales. By Elizabeth King.
i8mo. 6d.; cloth, is. ; gilt, is. 6d. ; or, separately,
Keighley Hall, Clouds and Sunshine, The Maltese
Cross, 3d. each.

Sir ^Elfric and other Tales. By the Rev. G. Bamp-
field. i8mo. 6d. ; cloth, is. ; gilt, is. 6d.

Ned Rusheen. By the Poor Clares. Crown 8vo. 6s.

The Prussian Spy. A Novel. By V. Valmont. 45.

Adolphus ; or, the Good Son. i8mo. gilt, 6d.

Nicholas ; or, the Reward of a Good Action. 6d.

The Lost Children of Mount St. Bernard. 1 8mo. gilt, 6d.

A Broken Chain. i8mo. gilt, 6d.

The, Baker's Boy; or, the Results of Industry. 6d.
"All prettily got up, artistically illustrated, and pleasantly-written.

Better books for gifts and rewards we do not know." — Weekly Re
gister. " We can thoroughly recommend them." — Tablet.

The Truce of God : a Tale of the Eleventh Century.

By G. H. Miles. 4s.
Tales and Sketches. By Charles Fleet. 8vo. cloth,

2s. and 2S. 6d. ; cloth, gilt, 35. 6d.

"Pleasingly-written, and containing some valuable hints. There
is a good deal of nice feeling in these short stories." — Tablet.

The Convent Prize Book. By the author of " Geral-
dine." Fcap. 8vo. 25. 6d. ; gilt, 35. 6d.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

WashbournJs Catalogue. 29

The Journey of Sophia and Eulalie to the Palace of

True Happiness. Translated by the Rev. Father

Ambrose, Mount St. Bernard's. Fcap. 8vo.

33. 6d. ; cheap edition, 23. 6d.

Florence O'Neill. By A. M. Stewart. 43. 6d. and 6s.
Limerick Veteran. By the same. 43. 6d. and 6s.
The Three Elizabeths. By the same. 35. 6d. and 43. 6d.
Alone in the World. By the same. 33. 6d. and 43. 6d.
Festival Tales. By J. F. Waller. 53.
Shakespeare's Plays and Tragedies. Abridged and

Revised for » the use of Schools. By Rosa

Baughan. 8vo. 75. 6d.
Poems. By H. N. Oxenham. Third Edition. 33. 6d.

Miscellaneous and Educational.
History of Modern Europe. With a Preface by the

Right Rev. Dr. Weathers. 12 mo. cloth, 53.;

gilt, 6s. ; roan, 53. 6d.

" A work of especial importance for the way in which it deals with
the early part of the present Pontificate." — Weekly Register.
Culpepper. An entirely New Edition of Brook's Family
Herbal. 150 engravings, drawn and coloured
from living specimens. Crown 8vo., 53. 6d.
The Continental Fish Cook : or, a Few Hints on Maigre
Dinners. By M. J. N. de Frederic. i8mo. is.

" This is an admirable collection of recipes, which many house
keepers will welcome for use. We strongly recommend our lady
readers at once to procure it." — Church ^Herald. " It will give to
all mistresses of households very valuable hints on maigre dinners,
and we feel sure they will be glad to know of the existence of such a
manual." — Register. "There are 103 recipes, all of which have
been practically tested ; they combine variety, wholesomeness, and
economy." — Universe. " It is an unpretending little work, but
nevertheless containing many recipes, enabling housekeepers to pro
vide an excellent variety of dishes, such as may lawfully be eaten
in times of fasting and abstinence." — Church Times.

On the Spirit in which Scientific Studies should be
pursued, with Remarks on the Darwinian Theory
of Evolution. By Mr. George Richardson. 8vo. 6d.

General Questions in History, Chronology, Geogra
phy, the Arts, &c. By A. M. Stewart. 43. 6d.

R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, Lo?idon.

30 R. Washbour ne's Catalogue.

Elements of Philosophy, comprising Logic, and
General Principles of Metaphysics. By Rev. W.
H. Hill, SJ. Second edition, 8vo. 6s.

" This'work is from the pen of one who has devoted many years to
the study'and teaching of philosophy. It is elementary, and must
be concise; yet it treats the important points of philosophy so
clearly, and contains so many principles of wide application, that it
cannot fail to be especially useful in a country where sound philo
sophical [doctrine is perhaps more needed than in any other."

University Education, under the Guidance of the
Church ; or, Monastic Studies. By a Monk of St.
Augustine's, Ramsgate. 8vo. 2S. 6d.
"An admirable pamphlet. Its contents are above praise. We
trust that it will be widely circulated." — Weekly Register. "The
author is evidently a scholar, a well-read man, and a person of ex
perience and wide reading. His essay, consequently, is worth both
studying and preserving." — Chzirck Herald.

History of England. By W. Mylius. i2mo. 35. 6d.
Catechism of the History of England. Cloth, is.
History of Ireland. By T. Young. i8mo. cloth, 25. 6d.
The Illustrated History of Ireland. By the Nun of

Kenmare. Illustrated by Doyle. 8vo. us.
The Patriots' History of Ireland. By the Poor Clares

of Kenmare. i8mo. cloth, 25. ; cloth gilt, 25. 6d.
A Chronological Sketch of the Kings of England and

France. With Anecdotes for the use of Children.

By H. Murray Lane. 25. 6d. ; or separately,

England, is. 6d., France, is. 6d.

1 ' Admirably adapted for teaching young children the elements of
English and French history." — Tablet. "A very useful little pub-
lication."— Weekly Register. "An admirably arranged little work
for the use of children."— Universe.

The Catholic Alphabet of Scripture Subjects. Price,
on a sheet, plain, is. ; coloured, 25. ; mounted
on linen, to fold in a case, 33. 6d. \ varnished, on
linen, on rollers, 43.

* "This will be hailed with joy by all young children in Catholic
schools, and we should gladly see it placed conspicuously before the
eyes of our little ones." — Catholic Opinion. " Will be very welcome
in the infant school." — Weekly Register.

Bell's Modern Reader and Speaker. Cloth, 35. 6d.
R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster Row, London.

R. WashbournJs Catalogue. 31

Extracts from the Fathers and other Writers of the

Church. i2mo. cloth, 45. 6d.
Brickley's Standard Table Book, Jd
Washbourne's Multiplication Table on a sheet, 35.

per 100. Specimen sent for id. stamp.

Music.

BY HERR WILHELM SCHULTHES.

Cor Jesu, Salus in Te Sperantium. 43. for 25.; with

harp accompaniment, 53. for 23. 6d. ; abridged

edition, 3d.
Mass of the Holy Child Jesus, and Ave Maria for

unison and congregational singing, with organ

accompaniment. 6s. for 35.
The Vocal Part may be had separately, in i8mo.,

at 4d. each, or 223. 6d. cash per 100 ; or bound

in cloth, at 6d. each, or 335. 6d. cash per 100.
The Ave Maria of this Mass can be had for Four

Voices, with the IngressusAngelus. 2s.6d.fons.3d.
Recordare. Oratio Jeremiae Prophetse. 25. for is.
Ne projicias me a facie Tua. Motett for Four Voices.

(T.B.) 23. 6d. for is. 3d.

Benediction Service, with 36 Litanies. 123. for 6s.
Oratory Hymns. 2 vols., folio, 163. for 8s.
Regina Coeli. Motett for Four Voices. 6s. for 35. ;

vocal arrangement, 25. for is.
Twelve Latin Hymns, for Vespers, &c. 23.

Portfolio. With a patent metallic back. 35.
Litanies. By Rev. J. McCarthy. 23. 6d. for is. 3d.
Six Litany Chants. By F. Leslie. 6d.
Ave Maria. By T. Haydn Waud. 33. for is. 6d.
Fr. Faber's Hymns. Various, is. 6d. for gd. each.

A separate Catalogue of FOREIGN Books, Educa
tional Books, Books for the Library or for
Prizes, supplied ; also a Catalogue of School
and General Stationery, a Catalogue of Second
hand Books, and a Catalogue of Crucifixes and
other Religious Articles.

INDEX TO AUTHORS.

PAGE

A'Kempis, Thomas . . 8

PAGB

King, Miss . . . .28

Allies, T. W., Esq. . .11

Lacordaire, Pere . . .12

Amherst, Bishop . . .8

Laing, Rev. Dr. . n, 15, 21

Bagshawe, Rev. Fr. . . 22

Lane, H. Murray, Esq. . 30

Bagshawe, Rev. J. B. . 14, 15

Lockhart, Rev. Fr. . . 13

Bampfield, Rev. G. . .28

M'Corry, Rev. Dr. . 17

Barge, Rev. T. . .23

Macdaniel, Miss . . 21, 24

Beste, }. R. D., Esq. . 10, 23

Macleod, Rev. X. D. . . 21

Beste, Rev. K. D. . 20, 25

Manning, Most Rev. Dr. 13, 19

Bethell, Rev. A. P. . . 21
Blosius 7

Marshall, T. W. M., Esq. . 10
Meehan, Madeleine Howley 26

Boudon, Mgr. . . .7

Milner, Bishop . . . 23

Bowles, Emily . . .27

Nary, Rev. T. . . .14

Bradbury, Rev. Fr. . . 29

Nevin, Willis ... 2

Brownlow, Rev. W. R. B. 5, 13

Newman, Dr. . . 19

Burder.Rt.Rev. Abbot . . 6

Oratorian Lives of the Saints 18

Burke, S. H., M.A. . . 12

Oxenham, H. N. . . n, 29

Butler, Alban . . .8

Passionist Fathers . . 13

Challoner, Bishop . . .16

Philpin, Rev. Fr. . . .6

Collins, Rev. Fr. . . .9

Poirier, Bishop . . .16

Conscience, Hendrick . . 26

Poor Clares of Kenmare '12, 20

Culpepper . . . .29

Powell, J., Esq. . . ' . 25

Darras, Abb£ . . .7

Pye, H.J., Esq. . . . 15

Deham, Rev. A. . . .23

Ravignan, Pere . . .8

Fleuriot, Mdlle. Ze*naide . 27

Rawes, Rev. Fr. . . .13

Francis of Sales, St. . 10. n

Frassinetti . . . .14

Richardson, Rev; Fr. . . 17

Gibson, Rev. H. . . .14

Robertson, Professor . . 13

Gilmour, Rev. R. . . .16

Scaramelli . 9

Goffine, Rev. Fr. . : .16

Schulthes, Herr . . . 31

Grace Ramsay . . .19

Shakespeare . . . .29

Grant, Bishop . . n, 24

Se'gur, Mgr. de . .16

Green, Rev. Dr. . . .17

Shepard.T. S., Esq. . . 19

Gueranger . . . .25

Sligo, A. V. Smith, Esq. . 17

Hedley, Canon . . . 7

Sligo, Mrs. Smith . . .27

Hill, Rev. Fr. . . .30

Stewart, A. M. . . .29

Hope, Mrs. . 9

Tame, C. E., Esq. . . 21

Husenbeth.Very Rev. Dr. 20, 21

Tandy, Very Rev. Dr. . . 26

John (St.) of the Cross . .11

Taunton, Mrs. . . .27

Kenny, Dr. . . . .16 Williams, Canon . . . 17

CONTENTS.

PAGE PAGE

New Books - i

Prayer-Books - - - 21

Dramas, Comedies, Farces - 3

Rome, &c. - - 25

Religious Reading - - 5

Tales, or Books for Library - 26

Religious Instruction - - 14

Educational Works - - 29

Lives of Saints, &c. - - 17

Music - - 31

Our Lady, Works relating to 20

R. WASHBOURNE, 18 PATERNOSTER ROW.

BX 4705 .C6723 B4513

1874 SMC

Belcari, Feo, 1410-1484

The life of B.

Giov.-Colombini /
AXC-1982 (awab)