Erentrudis
Acta Sanctorum, June 30
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/june/day-30/erentrudis.html
----------------------------------------

CONCERNING ST. ERENTRUDIS, VIRGIN,
ABBESS OF SALZBURG IN BAVARIA.

ABOUT A.D. 630.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

A synopsis of the Life from the Life of St. Rupert. The site and restoration of the monastery. Miracles written by Caesarius of Nonnberg.

Erentrudis, Virgin, Abbess of Salzburg in Bavaria (St.)

BHL Number: 2588

BY D. P.

Saint Rupert, the Apostle of the Bavarians,
and the same, from Worms in the Palatinate
of the Rhine, Bishop of Salzburg in Bavaria,
having established there about
the year 616 a Cathedra, the blessed reward
of his Evangelical labors, [St. Rupert being warned of his impending death] on the day of the Lord's resurrection, on the 6th before the Kalends [of …]

of April, in the year 23 or 28 of this century received,
as before his Life I demonstrated, on March 27.
This man, when his own death (as at no. 7 of the 2nd Life is read)
divinely revealed to him long before he foreknew,
meeting Bl. Erentrudis, said; "Sister most
dear to me, a word I have secret for you: I pray you
betray to no one while I live, what to you secretly
I have determined to reveal. Lo, God deigning, has been revealed
to me my passage from this world; and now
I ask, Lady Sister, that you pray for my soul,
that God may deign to place it in his rest."
To whom the blessed Virgin with tears answered:
"If it is so, Lord, as you speak, it is more expedient
for me, that I die before you." To whom the Bishop:
"Do not, dearest Sister, hastily and importunely
desire your departure or passage, because a sin
it is great: for not in our, but in the divine
disposition is our [departure] established." Then
the most blessed Virgin, [he promises his sister St. Erentrudis, that she too will soon follow.] with tears prostrate at the Pontiff's feet,
prayed to him, saying; "Lord
Father, remember I pray, that from my homeland hither
you led me, and now wretched and orphaned
you wish to leave me. One and only this I ask of you,
that if I do not deserve to [depart] before you or with you,
at least after yours, the sooner in the confession of the Lord,
you interceding, I may deserve to have the desired
passage." The most blessed Prelate Rupert assented to these prayers;
and when for a very long time about the sweetness of eternal life
they had mingled colloquies, mutual
tears pouring upon each other, the last farewell mournfully
they gave.

[2] Since the Saint so distinctly promised the Virgin's vow
to be fulfilled, it now seems enough, that her death
is not to be deferred beyond the year 30 of the aforesaid century,
perhaps even some years earlier it happened. But how,
summoned from Worms to Salzburg, Erentrudis came,
in the same Life at no. 5 thus is premised:
"But the man of God, seeing through the precipices of vices, [He had summoned her from Worms,] the flock
of the Lord departing through concupiscence of women,
prayed the Lord in his heart, saying: Lord,
if it be good in your eyes, I will choose for myself some
persons, apt for your cult and service, through
whom may be drawn, not only women, but also men, to
the exercise of a good life. But he had in his country,
namely of the Vangiones, in the city of Worms,
from her first cradle consecrated to God, named
Erentrudis: whom to himself with other women of the same order
and religion wishing to summon, a place
and dwelling, fitting for Nuns,
in the castle of Viviers he built, and to her
the blessed Virgin he assigned. Who, all things being perfected,
called by him, came; and at the sight of Bl.
Rupert was much glad, that him to see
she deserved before the day of her death."

[3] Therefore the blessed Pontiff led her into the oratory,
which he had already long since consecrated to Bl. Mary;
and after this said to her: "Lady Sister, do you know why
I summoned you?" But she answered: "I know, Father, I know:
for the Lord Jesus Christ also revealed to me in
spirit, saying: Go in peace whither you are called. Lo,
I will be with you, and will bring to me through you many
souls of women, whom when by your example
to the path of true religion you shall have led, you will come
to me." [to the Virgins, established in Bavaria,] Hearing these things the most blessed Pontiff,
giving thanks to God, returned praises. After no
long space of time, innumerable virgins
and noble matrons to the virgin Erentrudis
came together: over whom she presided so
discreetly, that in a short time she showed all so instructed,
as to render them apt for religion and pleasing to God.
For the virgin Erentrudis herself was such
in manners, that she counted as gain for herself, whatever
of consolation any disciple of hers from the gift of divine regard
perceived: such she was in her vow,
that she counted the salvation of all, as her own: such she was in
countenance, that whatever of good or evil befell any man,
she thought had befallen herself. What is to be recorded
of the continence and abstinence of her life,
of the bestowal of alms, of the probity of manners,
of the assiduity of vigils, and of every kind
of holiness of sacred religion? all which, because
they cannot be expressed, are to be omitted rather than
pursued.

[4] Thus far that Life of St. Rupert; into which all the aforesaid,
and what is presently to be said about the Virgin's death, are woven:
and these gathered thence into one, the Regular Canons
of the monastery of Böddeken in Westphalia, in their notable
Legendary of the month of June, often praised by us, inscribed under this
title; "Here begins the Life of the most blessed
virgin Erentrudis, who in the church of Salzburg
bodily reposes, [where she piously dies, invited by the Saint through a vision,] who is celebrated
on the day before the Kalends of July." There are had here also, those things which
about the blessed end of the Virgin are read in the Acts of St. Rupert;
that after his passage, Bl. Erentrudis night and day
persisting in prayer, prayers to the Lord with tears
for the soul of her deceased kinsman, Bl. Rupert,
devoutly offered, keeping the watches of the vigils and
expecting the gift of the promised consolation: and that
on a certain night Bl. Rupert appeared to her in a vision, and said to her: "Come, Sister most dear, into the kingdom of Christ,
for which now a long time you have labored." She, waking,
gave thanks to God, and at once began to be sick.
The Sisters therefore being called together, after words
of exhortation, after receiving the most sacred Sacraments
of the Church, and after the sweet kisses of charity, her spirit
she rendered. After this her sacred body in
the city of Viviers, embalmed with spices, in
the monastery of Bl. Mary with the highest veneration
on the day before the Kalends of July was consigned to burial. And
thus ends that Life of St. Rupert, [as in her Life is read;] by the Böddeken monks almost
word for word, under the name of Erentrudis, described. But it is to be noted,
that here the city of Viviers, and above
the castle of Viviers it is called, as the Böddeken manuscript teaches,
on account of the eruption of living fountains, the name
being given by St. Rupert himself, as they wish: others preferred to write the name
Juvavum, from a similar cause.

[5] About the homeland of those Saints, Franconia, not
Ireland, we treated enough in March: and the same confirms
the Author of the more recent Life, from book 6 of the ancient Lessons of Henry
Canisius reprinted by Surius and Mabillon; which neither
here is there need to reprint, since beyond what is there to be read it contains
nothing but certain common amplifications, contributing nothing
to the history; unless perhaps from more certain knowledge, and
not from his own conjecture the Author wrote, [whence the more recent other one is taken,] that by the example
of Christ she was wont to wash the feet of the poor with humble devotion,
and to administer the blessing of food to all;
as with the elegant graver of Raphael Sadeler it is
expressed in the "Pious Bavaria" of Matthew Rader: [more freely interpolated,]
who when in the Notes of Baronius at the name of St. Rupert
he had read, the Virgin's birthday to be kept on the day before the Kalends
of July, not having inspected the Martyrology itself, wrote that she
then was venerated by the Roman church, which hitherto is not
done. In that Life also which we omit, the Author's
own invention seems to be; that, as St. Rupert,
having suffered a refractory Clergy and people, departed from Worms;
so also St. Erentrudis, declining quarrels, discords,
rivalries, departed with him; after,
among those Nuns, whom she ruled with all
gentleness and wisdom; the enemy of all good men,
bearing grievously the unanimity of the holy minds,
oversowed tares, and prevailed iniquity and trouble
in the midst of them. Ends
that Life with these words: "But she was buried in the crypt
of that same monastery with becoming honor, and there
she is venerated especially by Virgins in virginal beauty.
But the signs of miracles, which through her
merits the Lord deigned to do at diverse times
in many men, on account of the multitude
we cannot commend to writings; but neither
the things seen nor heard can those present enumerate,
but in all his benefits the giver of all good things,
let God be praised and glorified, forever
and ever. Amen."

[6] [Her monastery at Salzburg] Wiguleus Hund, in his Metropolis, vol. 2, p.
594, says the monastery of Erentrudis is situated outside the walls
of Salzburg, on a neighboring hill, and surnamed
with the name of Nuns'-Mount; which anciently
called Cella, by the tumults of war, by fire
and plunderings devastated, was rebuilt and as if
anew founded by Henry II the Emperor;
and was completed in the year 1041, in which the high altar
with two, situated in the crypt, by the Lord Balduin
the Archbishop of Salzburg was consecrated. [restored by St. Henry.]
These things Hund from Bruschius; and he notes, that the year 1041
of the Dedication does not agree with the Chronicle of the Archbishops
of Salzburg (because indeed Balduin
was then not yet Archbishop) yet he does not
correct the error. But his Commentator, as it were, Christopher
Gewold, in his Additions to Hund
writes, that St. Henry the Emperor, in the year 1024
having died, restored the desolate monastery,
and caused it through Hartwic the Archbishop in
his presence to be dedicated. And this is more probable.
For how would the restoration, by St. Henry, in the opinion
of all at least begun to be made, have lasted up to the year
1041, or to the Bishopric of Balduin? Adds also
there Gewold: That also at the time of the dedication
already mentioned, St. Erentrudis from her first tomb,
in which hitherto she had reposed, with great
reverence and honor raised, into the crypt of the temple,
where today she is seen entombed, was translated.

[7] The same Gewold, from a manuscript book about the first construction
of that same monastery, thus writes: "Blessed
Pontiff Rupert began, together with the counsel and
will of the Lord Theodobert the Duke, in the upper
castle of the town of Juvavum to build a church
and monastery for sacred Virgins, to dwell
in the service of God and of holy Mary the mother of the Lord:"
and further there are described the individual things, which the same Duke handed over
there for the sustenance of the handmaids of God, and for the reward
of his father Theodo, whom the same Rupert
converted to the faith of Christ and baptized; which there can be read;
as also by name the Abbesses, who indeed after
Erentrudis, up to the restoration of the Monastery, none
became known: those that followed thereafter, up to the year 1200, are not
all reviewed; the rest are better arranged.

[8] The miracles after death, nay after the restoration first
began to be written at the beginning of the 14th century, by a certain Caesarius,
the relation of the ancients he learned (these however to no
note of time are bound; up to no. 15) and
by certain experience he found, in the space of twenty-eight
years, in which in the divine Office in the said monastery
he toiled; whence to each of these its year
is ascribed: but because Canisius found all things in his Codex
under this title, "There follow the miracles," without that
title which the Author himself wrote, it comes about that there is lacking, whence
the name might be understood of the Archbishop or Abbot, by whose
order Caesarius studied to compile the below-written.
For from the beginning indeed the same was both Archbishop and
Abbot of the monastery of St. Peter, founded by St. Rupert;
but Frederick, the 23rd in order, with great provision and addition being made to the monastery in Tithes
and other revenues, in the 32nd year
of his Pontificate, of Christ 984, constituted
as Abbot of that same Monastery the Monk Tito; from
whom the twenty-third, Rudpert, about the year 1297
consecrated, up to 1314 presided: but the Archbishop
from the year 1289 was Conrad,
to 1312; in whose time all these things written
we judge.

[9] [with notice of the crypt dedicated in the year 1305.] Among the more recent miracles more notable to us is
that which in the year 1305 is narrated to have been done at no. 16: because
it proves the day of the deposition of St. Erentrudis, which also
is the dedication of the crypt at Nonnberg, not only
by the annual Office by the Nuns, but also by the cessation
of servile works to have been celebrated by the citizens.
I therefore here delay not over the defect of the old Martyrologies and
Calendars written in Bavaria,
where the name of Erentrudis is not found, complains Arnold
Wion; as also the Carthusians of Cologne seem not to have found a place of cult in them,
for their Additions to Usuard (otherwise indeed they would not have omitted to name him)
noting only the memory and name
of Erentrudis, Virgin Abbess, kinswoman of St. Rupert
Bishop of the Vangiones. The author of the manuscript Florarium;
"At the city of Viviers the deposition of Erentrudis the Virgin."
More clearly Philip Ferrari; "At Salzburg St. Erentrudis
Virgin and Abbess": whom follow the Benedictines,
Wion, Menard, Bucelinus, and in German
Peter Canisius with a long eulogy; "Her holy body
reposes at Salzburg on the Nuns'-Mount,
where her glorious memory is celebrated." [The Translation September 3.] Wion
also on the 3rd before the Nones of September has the Translation
of St. Erentrudis the Abbess; and that (as he says in the Notes)
from a certain index of the Church of Salzburg, for
the canonical Hours to be duly performed, printed in the year
1585: whence I understood, that she there is celebrated with
nine Lessons: which I know not whether it should be understood of
that Translation, of which there is mention in the miracles at no. 5,
or indeed of another more recent and unknown to us.

MIRACLES
written by Caesarius the Chaplain of the Monastery,
From the edition of Henry Canisius.

Erentrudis, Virgin, Abbess of Salzburg in Bavaria (St.)

BHL Number: 2589

BY CAESARIUS THE MONK.

[1] Since in those things which are recognized to pertain to the divine cult,
the glory and praise of the Saints, not a malicious,
but rather a benign and devout interpretation and
diligence is to be applied; [The Writer's Preface.] whence, Father and Lord
reverend, I Caesarius, your Chaplain
at Nonnberg, in your pious and most holy desires from the marrow
rejoicing together, not by rash daring,
but armed by the benign command of your piety;
the miracles of holy Erentrudis the glorious Virgin,
as far as the smallness of my talent suffices, to write
have striven; as from the relation of the ancients
I learned, not only of the Nuns, but also
of outsiders worthy of faith; as also already
by twenty-eight years, in which in the divine office
in the said monastery I toiled, by certain experience I found;
the below-written I studied to compile.

[2] [The Emperor Henry cured of epilepsy.] First and principally about the cure of St. Henry
the Emperor, surnamed the Pious; who, as is said,
God permitting or disposing, fell into the disease
of frenzy or epilepsy, and by much
solicitude of physicians could not be cured;
the thresholds also of many Saints having been visited,
at last to the tomb of St. Erentrudis he came; and
having obtained the effect of the desired health, the Relics
of that same glorious Virgin he asked to be imparted to him,
and the same in a golden ring he caused to be enclosed; on his neck
he carried [it] continually, and meanwhile the motion or rage
of the said infirmity he never felt, and to the aforesaid tomb
two golden spurs he offered; for
which a certain court in Austria, called Vladniz,
procured, still serves that very Monastery.

[3] It happened also, no long time being interposed,
that the Monastery of Nonnberg, with
the adhering cloister, which Bl. Rudbert together with
Duke Theodobert founded (which then was situated
in the place where now is the cell of the Priests,
as appears in the ruin of the walls and their foundations)
by fire was wholly destroyed; and at the same
time the aforesaid Emperor a certain bath
entered, and the Relics being lost, into the often
mentioned infirmity relapsed; and the aforesaid monastery's
burning in spirit he knew, and that
blessed Mary and holy Erentrudis through him the ruin
of the aforesaid monastery wished to be repaired, and
to a better state and site reduced. Whence it came about,
that the pious Emperor, the infirmity urging him, [rebuilds the monastery of St. Erentrudis]
to the tomb of St. Erentrudis devoutly returned;
and seeing the place desolate and by fire deformed,
vowed to omnipotent God, to the blessed and
glorious virgin Mary, and to holy Erentrudis,
that if from the before-mentioned sickness he were relieved,
the monastery from the foundation he would rebuild,
at once at the tomb of St. Erentrudis: and
with tears and fervent prayer prostrate,
to his former health was restored; and as he had vowed,
the monastery with the adhering cloister, where now
it is situated, in a beautiful scheme, as clearly appears,
he built: and gave Ehrenprechtstorff,
situated in Longee or Longaw, with all
its appurtenances, to the honor of omnipotent God
and the said Patronesses St. Mary the Virgin and
St. Erentrudis, to the Nuns there serving God.

[4] The structure both of the monastery and of the other offices being also
completed and built, [whose body is translated.] and the church being dedicated
in honor of the often said Patronesses,
the Emperor himself being present, by Bl. Hertwic
the Archbishop, the body of holy Erentrudis,
from the old tomb, into the crypt where now
she reposes, with the highest honor was translated,
namely placed in the middle of the altar; although before
by Bl. Virgilius, very many miracles attesting,
it had been canonized and translated.

[5] [One snatching of her Relics, is blinded] At which last translation also was present
Mazalin, Abbot of St. Peter, brother of Wiradis
the Abbess; who presumptuously snatched the breastbone
of St. Erentrudis; wherefore with blindness at once
struck, and all who were present, terrified
and overshadowed by a certain darkness, as by an eclipse,
stood compunct. [The tomb and miracles of St. Mazalin:] But Mazalin himself, acknowledging his guilt,
with tears and sighs to Bl. Erentrudis
supplicated, that she would forgive him, that
her venerable Relics by rash daring he had presumed
to handle; promising to God and holy
Erentrudis, if his former sight by her merits and
suffrages he obtained, the Abbey he would resign,
and an eremitic life choose. He at once
illuminated, the Abbey resigned, and on the Mount
of Goats up to his death a solitary life
led, and in the said monastery, around
the crypt of St. Erentrudis, at the North door
he was honorably entombed; who also is reputed a Saint,
because many benefits at his tomb
to the sick and afflicted the divine mercy
deigns to perform. It is read also of Mazalin himself,
that when he had now died, the peasants placed him on a cart,
and wishing to convey him to the church of St. Peter,
however much the oxen were goaded
to the straight way, yet with a quick step
to the monastery of St. Erentrudis they hastened,
because, living, there he had chosen his burial.

[6] It is reported indeed of the aforesaid man Mazalin,
that when his sister Wiradis the Abbess, the Nuns
subject to her rigidly governed, [in these, that an infant, handed over to a demon by its mother,] and them
she herself, by a praiseworthy way and honest conversation,
always preceded; a certain one of the Nuns conceived,
and when now the time of giving birth was at hand,
anxious and exceedingly troubled, not knowing by what way to cover
the crime committed, and how she might escape the Abbess's
severity, and the punishment to be inflicted on her;
and in prayer prostrating herself in the chapel of St. Vitus,
and pouring out most abundant tears, with anguishes and
tribulations on every side enwrapped; not only about
her pressure and impending grief, but also
about the birth what she would do; and so in prayer
placed she fell asleep. And when she had waked, and no
consolation human nor divine found; into
desperation led, the malign spirit being invoked,
she said: "O devil, bring me help in this greatest
tribulation, and I will give you this offspring which
I shall bring forth, with body and soul into damnation
eternal." Meanwhile the demons rejoicing
were passing the cell of the man of God Mazalin, in the hermitage
passing the night in prayer: and he asked of them,
whither they went? They answered: "A great business
we have." He said: "Go, and the business being done,
by the living God I command you, return to me."
They going found the boy already born;
whom they snatched, and returned to the man
of God, narrating to him what was done; how the woman
unhappy and desperate, to them the boy with body
and soul handed over into [their] power.

[7] Hearing this, Mazalin, trusting in the Lord,
commanded them, [and by him adjured the boy being brought to him,] by the living and true God,
that they should leave the boy to him. They at once the boy
in the cell of the holy Man throwing, flying
on their way, departed. But that same night the man
of God arose, taking the boy; and in the morning before
dawn came to the gate of the monastery, awaiting,
when the Abbess would come and unlock the doors,
which by herself on each day and night she did.
When she came and saw her brother,
much astonished she marveled, saying to him; "To what
have you come, brother?" He answering said to the Abbess:
"On account of your austerity and malice, which
you exercise on your subjects (showing her the boy)
this soul into damnation and the power
of the devil had been handed over; but through the grace and mercy
of God, I snatched it from the hands of the malign
spirits;" narrating to her all in order
the deed done: and he commanded her in the virtue of God and of holy
obedience, that henceforth more mercifully, by the example
of Bl. Benedict, with her subjects she should act,
and mercy above judgment exalt. And he caused
the boy at once to be baptized, and handed to a nurse
to be reared, until in the Catholic faith he could be instructed,
and more fully informed: [he took care to have him educated.] but the man of God to
the hermitage to his cell with joy returned,
giving thanks to omnipotent God for the rescue
of the boy's soul from diabolical servitude.

[8] Nor must it be passed over in silence, how
the glorious Patronesses, the blessed Virgin and St. Erentrudis,
the place and possessions of their monastery
by their suffrages continually defended, and from the raging
deceits of wolves often took care to rescue. In the times
of the Lord Frederick de Walchen, Archbishop
of Salzburg of venerable memory,
it happened, that about the bounds or limits of the salt mines,
and about the salt pit, within and without, on the mountain Dürrnberg,
between the Lady Diemud de Belben,
Abbess at Nonnberg, on the one [part], and the Lay-brothers
of Salem, on the other part, a contention
very great had arisen: on account of which contention, at the command
of the aforesaid Archbishop, and the counsel of the wise, [One perjuring himself to the prejudice of the monastery,]
it was ordained, that the Masters of the mountains with their rods
and measures should faithfully test, which part to the other
would be prejudicial. When this had been done, a certain
Brother Albert, unmindful of his own salvation,
the said Masters of the mountains by the malice of his fraud
corrupted, that the rods drawn from the pit indirectly
they should place, to the prejudice of the church of Nonnberg.
These things being done, the aforesaid Archbishop
with his Nobles and Magnates
ascending the mountain, fixed a term for the parties,
to decide the discord of the contention. But on the night
preceding, the aforesaid Abbess Diemud, with the older Nuns of the Convent,
approaching the altar of St. Erentrudis, with lamps
measured that altar by the square, and
thence formed candles; which kindled,
in prayer prostrate, up to the consummation
of the lights, in devotion persevered: but in the morning,
taking up the journey, the said mountain
they ascended. The often said Bishop, personally
presiding over the judgment, the Nobles and all
who were present standing by, first called Brother Albert
aforesaid, and required of him, [suddenly he dies.] whether well
and faithfully and without fraud, both in the pit
and in the field through the land, the rods or measures
were placed. The Brother himself, on bended knees
before the Archbishop, his hand raised and the oath enjoined
upon him, said; "So may God help me, and
the blessed Virgin, and holy Erentrudis." This said and
the oath unfinished, he fell at the feet of the Archbishop
often said, and died: and all
being stupefied and marveling, with mourning he was carried away,
about to receive the reward of his fraud by the just
judgment of God.

[9] [A leper is healed.] A certain man infected with leprosy, many seeing,
and rebuked by many, in clear light the crypt
of St. Erentrudis entered; and at her tomb
prostrate in prayer, for a great space of the day there
prayed, and sound in body and with cheerful face, before
all left the church; an itching also
in the place where he was healed, like scales,
was found by many, wishing the miracle to
investigate, the mercy of omnipotent God and
the merits of St. Erentrudis with worthy praises extolling.

[10] A certain woman of Hallberg, wife of Conrad,
called Taurstayn, a citizen of Hall, wounded with pustules
about the loins, so much that to walk
she could not, but only was carried hither and thither
on a litter. Likewise the same woman, very puffed up,
also with elephantine leprosy struck, by no art
of physicians, [likewise a wealthy matron,] because she was rich, nor by physicians,
summoned from the universities, nor by Master
Simon, a Monk of Raitenhaslach,
whose name there is still held famous, could be
freed. But by the counsel of certain persons induced,
to Teting carried in a certain cart, she came
to a certain holy woman, who had
the grace of healings; and full of works of mercy,
who very many oppressed by diverse infirmities
healed. From the poor she received no reward,
but freely fed them, and bestowed such medicine as
she could. But the aforesaid leprous woman,
when to the house of the holy woman she had come, in a chair
before the doors she placed her before her; and not
much considering her, in the presence of Master Simon
and her other household, said: "Lady, all
the medicines of the world, [directed to the Saint by another Saint.] expended for you,
to you cannot profit: but I counsel that you go to Salzburg
to the holy Virgin Erentrudis, there
you can obtain health, divine grace cooperating:"
because the said woman all the sick to her
flowing together, whom she could not cure, to the thresholds
of the Saints directed. The aforesaid leprous woman indeed,
carts being prepared, by the counsel of the blessed woman, to
St. Erentrudis proceeded; and there for three days
in prayer and tears devoutly persisting, healed
was she from the pustules and leprosy, by the mediating Savior's
grace and mercy, the merits of
St. Erentrudis the glorious Virgin suffraging for her. She indeed
with joy to her own home returned, and after the death
of her husband for many years survived; but impoverished
exceedingly, although before she abounded in riches,
in our times was seen; and known by many,
among men and her fellow-citizens, sound and unharmed
up to her death she lived.

[11] There was a certain merchant, of the house and family
of St. Erentrudis, named Martin, who had vowed
to God and to blessed Mary and holy Erentrudis,
that he would not contract [marriage] with any, except with her
who was of the patronage of the church of Nonnberg.
He, however, forgetful of the vow, contracted with another; and
plague indeed recognizing in himself, compunct
he returned to his heart; he thought that God, on account of the breaking
of the vow, permitted this to happen in him. And coming
to the altar of St. Erentrudis, [Likewise another violator of pledged faith.] with weeping and inmost groanings
supplicated Bl. Erentrudis devoutly for recovering
health. The Lady Mary also being called,
the Abbess, of pious memory, about the transgression
committed pardon he asked. She, moved by compassion,
poured devout prayers over him, and from God
and the blessed virgin Mary and holy Erentrudis pardon
for him asked; who to his house went,
and a trace of leprosy no longer appeared in him.

[12] A certain colonus of the monastery often said, of
the family of the church, named Frederick of Alchaming
of the territory of Tittmoning, with seven others
wishing to visit the threshold of the Apostles Peter and Paul,
passing Salzburg, came to the altar of St. Erentrudis,
where her sacred bones are stored, himself and
his [companions] devoutly recommending to Bl. Erentrudis; and having set out,
came into the Latin land with the others associated
with him. They, when near Ferrara in a certain
inn they had passed the night, came robbers, the house
they besieged, plotting the death of the pilgrims.
Hearing which the pilgrims, within themselves groaning
and weeping, exceedingly straitened were, nor did any
of them dare to speak even the least word;
and so through the whole night anxious and disturbed
[they were]. [Travelers freed from robbers,] But the day approaching, [when] the aforesaid
Frederick was seized by sleep, came to
him a certain most beautiful Lady in religious garb,
saying: "Rise: why do you sleep?" He said: "Who
are you?" She answered: "I am she, to whom at Salzburg
you devoutly committed yourself. Go secure, you and your
companions, and fear not." This vision narrating
to the brothers, who rising through the gratings and chinks
looked out, they saw no one nor heard, and
on their way joyful and unharmed departed, to God
and to Bl. Erentrudis the due thanks rendering.

[13] [An injury, inflicted on the monastery, is punished,] A certain widow, called Ruzenlacherin, young
and beautiful, by the favor of the Dukes of Bavaria,
the possessions of the monasteries of St. Peter and Nonnberg,
in the forest, which is called Weylhart, through the noise
of a secular judgment, unduly against God
and justice occupied; to the Ecclesiastical court
by Papal authority cited she scorned to come; but
at last by the spiritual judge excommunicated
and denounced, persisted in her malice. And when
on a certain day she sent a messenger or herald to
service to be extorted, the peasant's little horse wishing
for herself as a pledge violently to lead away; the peasant crying
after him, said; "Leave here the horse until
after the tillage of the fields, may God help you
and St. Erentrudis." And the herald answered:
"What do you say of your Erentrudis?" The poor man's horse
he led away; and as he passed the gate of the court, from
his horse he fell, and struck by the judgment of God expired.
But the woman above noted, not even thus compunct,
afterward, although young, persisting in her contumacy,
in a short time ended her life.

[14] A certain smith Conrad, called Rohtschmidt,
of the city of Salzburg, on the right side
struck with apoplexy, and for thirteen weeks
of the office of hand and foot was destitute, the help
divine and of many Saints continually imploring.
Finally, when grief and trouble and most sharp
compunctions exceedingly urged him,
to Bl. Erentrudis he ran, her suffrages confidently
seeking: and whither bodily he could not go,
by the devotion of his mind he was carried. On a certain evening
therefore, Vespers being finished, when the pains of the sick
more than usual are sharpened, a candle of his own
stature through his mother and his wife to St. Erentrudis
he directed. To whom, when the entrance of the monastery
did not lie open, at the door in prayer prostrating themselves,
Bl. Erentrudis suppliantly invoking.
Then the light being kindled, not much delaying, because
night was at hand, but thence withdrawing; before
they returned to the lodging, the man's grief sensibly was
mitigated; and the same night and the following day health
returned, and the office of hand and foot, and also
of the whole side, [The smith is freed from apoplexy.] by the mercy of God and the merits of St.
Erentrudis, was integrally restored; the benefit
also bestowed on him for more than nine
years he concealed, St. Erentrudis more frequently visiting,
and according to his measure venerating her.

[15] In the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred and
eighteenth, Master John of Paris,
in the art of medicine competently instructed, [A physician cured of pain in the arm by touching the tomb.] for a year
and a half and more, in his right arm, by a pain
vehement and continuous was tortured. When
neither by any remedy through his own solicitude,
nor by the counsel of others could he be relieved; at last by the counsel
induced of the devout, the altar of St. Erentrudis
the Virgin, where bodily she reposes, in person
approaching, himself in prayer, as devoutly as
he could, prostrated. The first and second [time] the health
most desired not having obtained, because often hope
is deferred, that desire may grow; the third time returning,
moved by ampler hope, with a pious purpose approaching the altar,
with such words the Saint of God he addressed:
"O blessed Erentrudis, glorious Virgin, if true
it is, what about you is said, sung, and read;
I pray, from this languor and pain deign me
to free;" and with his arm touching the altar,
he was healed, and with joy to his own home returned.

[16] Likewise in the year of the Lord 1305, a certain woman,
named Haylbirg, a washerwoman and very poor, on
the day of the deposition of St. Erentrudis, [A violator of the feast, and therefore contracted,] because then also
is the dedication of the crypt at Nonnberg, the solemnities of the Masses
being finished, approaching the altar, St. Erentrudis
thus addressed: "You know, most sacred Virgin,
that I am much needy and very poor,
and I have many clothes today to be washed;
whence I beseech you in the Lord, that you be not angry with me,
because I cannot be free." She withdrawing,
after dinner began to wash the clothes, as on other
days she was wont to do: and when the last garment
she was wiping, her right hand was bent.
She, anxious and exceedingly troubled, wept bitterly, not knowing
what she would do. But on the next morning,
armed with hope of divine mercy, she approached the altar
of St. Erentrudis, and thus prayed: "O holy Erentrudis,
for the joy, in which you delight before God with
all the Saints and Angels of God, [she is healed.] gladden me most wretched
sinner, because grievously I have offended and
sinned against you. Whence I beseech you, forgive me, and
restore to me of my hand the former health."
And this said, placing the curved hand upon the altar,
she was healed: and as a sign of this healing, below
the joint of that hand at once appeared a certain
knot under the skin, of the size of a large
nut, for two years, and it decreased and
increased according to the course of the moon. But the woman
aforesaid, eager for health, again running back
to St. Erentrudis, supplicated, that by her merits and
suffrages she might deserve to obtain full and desired
health; which also was done; the knot disappeared,
and this woman, still surviving, the scar
shows to the eye to all wishing to see it.

[17] Likewise in the year of the Lord 1309 a certain woman of Salzburg, her sins demanding it, deprived of sight
for four years, [A sinner, unable to behold the sacred Host, is freed.] although men and
other creatures of this world fully she saw, the body
of Christ, neither on the altar, nor for curing the sick
in the hand of the Priest could she see, wherever she
turned. At last in the fifth year, led by the Spirit of God,
whenever the hour and day was taken, and as often as
the Divine [offices] were celebrated, at St. Erentrudis
for a whole year she devoted herself;
the Saint of God devoutly supplicating, that with God
for her she would deign to intercede. And when her devotion
she continued, hearing Masses; in the
sixth year, in the hand of the Priest, celebrating on a certain
Lord's day, around the often said altar, the body
of Christ she saw; and afterward always, the grace
of God suffraging for her and the merits of St. Erentrudis; for
the benefit bestowed on her, to God and Bl. Erentrudis
giving such thanks as she could, the place more frequently
she visited; the miracle also done in the same,
as far as she could, concealing.

[18] Likewise the great-great-grandfather of the Radekars, called Gerhoh,
being a young man, vowed to Bl. Erentrudis every
year for a census five denarii he would give:
who did this for some years, namely five;
but afterward began to grow tepid. Whence it came
about, that one Nun, called Harschicherin,
familiar to him, [A defrauder of the due census is deprived of his goods.] on one of the nights heard
to St. Erentrudis what he promised, or he will fare ill."
She in the morning called the said Radekar, asking
of him, what he had promised to St. Erentrudis; who
confessed about the five census denarii up to
the end of his life. Then the Nun, what she had heard,
to him narrated. He withdrawing, the words of this [warning]
heeded not. A second time came the voice, and to the same
Nun said: "Tell Gerhoh, that to Bl. Erentrudis
he pay what he promised, or damage
greatest he will sustain." She, as before, forewarned him,
but he by no means cared. A third time came the voice
to the same: "Tell Gerhoh, because now admonished
twice, his promise to fulfill he has neglected,
and the vow he has transgressed, now the time is fulfilled:
and Bl. Erentrudis a longer delay
will not give him, that he himself will receive damage, which
he himself and all his kindred will never recover:"
which also was done. In a short while indeed afterward
the castle of Matsch he lost, and of all
his goods was despoiled, and also of his possessions, horses,
cattle, and other movables and immovables whatsoever.
These things in the time of the Lady Diemud
de Velben the Abbess were begun: but in the time
of the Lady Elisabeth the Abbess, the grandsons
of the said Gerhoh, returning to their heart, one girl
of military [rank], called Dymud Tuntingerin, upon
the altar of St. Erentrudis freely offered, for
the repayment of the said census.

NOTES OF D. P.

labored with such a disease; yet these things, not only by these writings, but also by ecclesiastical
records are confirmed, and in a very ancient figure on the altar of St.
Erentrudis expressed are seen. I add, that the whole life of St. Henry, spent in the Duchy
up to the death of Otto III, lies obscure: but this
restoration seems to have been made, or at least begun, in the year 1000, when
is noted the first year of Wiradis the Abbess. Let the dedication of the church and
the translation of St. Erentrudis, of which below, first have been made to Henry, not
only King
elected, but also Emperor crowned.


ordained in the year 767, died about 784, and is venerated on November 27. Acts
are had, but for the most part after his death; the Life touched on very briefly: nor do they teach anything else
than his entrance to the Bishopric and the instruction of the Carinthians;
so that neither there is it strange, that this about the elevated St. Erentrudis, equally as about St.
Rupert, is kept silent.


in the year 1024. And so it seems consequent, that not long after the Crown of the Empire
was received, he completed the work begun, through the dedication of the church and
the translation of the Saint.

de Wallen) from the year 1270 to the year 1284.

the latter number on the stone was worn away, or by the typesetter omitted, or
the Episcopal series deceives, in noting the time of the Archbishop.

h Whether
she, who in the Catalogue after the restoration is the fourth, as having died
about the year 1059? For no order of time here is kept: and another
Mary none is found.
