Cataldus
Acta Sanctorum, May 10
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-10/cataldus.html
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ON SAINT CATALDUS

BISHOP OF TARANTO IN ITALY.

[Preface]

Cataldus, Bishop of Taranto in Italy (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Taranto of the Salentines in Magna Graecia,
formerly, as Pausanias attests, the greatest and most opulent
of the maritime cities with an excellent port, even at this time still adorned with an Archiepiscopal See,
[Cataldus once Bishop of Taranto, and Patron] situated in the Province of the kingdom
of Naples called Hydruntina: concerning whose Antiquity and
varied fortune John Iuvenis of Taranto composed eight books,
printed at Naples in the year MDLXXXIX, and then inserted
into Italia Illustrata printed at Frankfurt in the year MDC. This author
in book 8 chapters 2 and 3 treats of S. Cataldus, once Bishop
of Taranto, and even now the Patron of the city and Church
of Taranto: [on account of the Finding he is venerated 10 May,] and chapter 3 indicates that the Finding
and Translation of his body is celebrated most solemnly on the sixth
Ides of May, and that on that day there was a great concourse of the neighboring
inhabitants, on account of the plenary indulgence granted by the supreme
Pontiff Gregory XIII,
at the entreaty of Laelius Brancatius then Archbishop.
From which time also began to be recited the office of S.
Cataldus, according to the norm of the Roman Breviary, as is prefixed
to the said Office in these words. We William Sirletus, by title
of S. Laurence in Panis-Perna Presbyter Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church,
make faith and attest, that our Most Holy
Lord Gregory XIII, by an oracle of the living voice made to us,
granted and gave license to the Archbishop
and Clergy of Taranto to say in choir and outside the above-written
Office of S. Cataldus Bishop and Confessor
their Patron, reduced and amended to the form of the Roman Breviary,
both on his feast and
on the Finding throughout the whole metropolis, according to the ancient
custom of the Church of Taranto. Given at Rome
in the Apostolic palace, in the place of our accustomed residence
V Nones of July MDLXXX. Cardinal Baronius, citing
this Office, inscribed the name in the Roman Martyrology on
this X May, in these words: At Taranto S. Cataldus
Bishop, famous for miracles.

[2] [The History of the Finding and of the miracles is given from MSS.] We subjoin in the first place, as more certain monuments, the history
of the Finding and of the miracles, described, as appears below
from num. 24, from the Acts which Berlengerius
of Taranto published, a noble man and most eloquent Jurist,
who by command of the King, summoned to Palermo, betook himself thither for
translating a certain volume from Greek into Latin.
But whether all the miracles which we give were written by Berlengerius,
is not certain. We are also ignorant in what order
they were first described, which between the history of the Finding and
the Translation we have in a double MS. as to the said
order discrepant: wherefore it were to be wished, that the text
of Berlengerius himself were found. Bartholomew Moronus
published the Miracles of S. Cataldus, most faithfully taken from
very old copies, with the style moderately changed at
Rome in the year MDCXIV. But we prefer to give the things themselves drawn up
in the original style, and not departing from the sense of the author;
such as together with the aforesaid history of the Finding and Translation
we received at Naples from P. Nicolaus Beatillus. Michael Monachus
in the Sanctuary of Capua cites the MS. Acts of the Finding
under this title, with Tragon the Archbishop a religious man:
but it should be read Drogon. The birthday is by Petrus de Natalibus
to be reported below assigned to VIII May: [a cult on various days and places] which at Taranto with solemn
rite is performed, and is found inscribed in various annals.
Moreover on VIII March it is commemorated in the MS. Florarium, and in each
Catalogue of Ferrarius, [churches built] who asserts that day to be the birthday. Iuvenis
adds, that from this Saint many towns and parishes are called
and his name is celebrated at Venice, in Umbria and in Sicily:
also at Coralto in Apulia, that the pestilence might cease, a church
was built to Saint Cataldus, and granted to the Minorite Fathers
in the year MDVI. John Francis de Abela Vice-chancellor
of the sacred and most eminent Religion of Jerusalem,
in the description of the Island of Malta published there in the year
1647, book 1 notice 4 of the Cemeteries page 47, attests that
beside the city, near the crypt of S. Paul, and contiguous
to the crypt called of S. Mary of Hope, there is another crypt
dedicated to S. Cataldus with a cemetery, above which
today is a very small church consecrated in honor of the same
Saint, and much frequented by a devout people,
on account of the continual graces which there by his intercession
are reported by the ruptured, for which cause there
almost daily Mass is celebrated.

THE HISTORY OF THE FINDING AND TRANSLATION

By the Author Berlengerius of Taranto, and perhaps others.

from MS. codices.

Cataldus, Bishop of Taranto in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 1653

FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

The body found. Several miracles wrought.

[1] With a special indeed and singular affection of devotion
is the present solemnity to be celebrated by us. For
when we celebrate the memory of other Saints, it is not
doubtful that it consists in reason, that for celebrating the solemnities
of the most blessed Confessor of Christ Cataldus we should more manfully
gird ourselves: [S. Cataldus Patron of our people of Taranto,] whom the supernal grace, not by merits, but
by sole clemency, deigned to bestow on us as Patron.
For although the divine power is governor and guardian
of all creatures, yet to diverse provinces and
cities it appointed singular Patrons: to some indeed
Apostles, to some Martyrs; to others
Confessors, and to others Virgins. For God willed
his Saints to be as it were certain mediators between himself and men,
that their vows, which for the mass of crimes
could not ascend on high, as it were by certain
wings, with the Saints' prayers mediating, might be raised
to heaven. Lest therefore the people of Taranto,
without a Shepherd wandering alone, be swallowed by the jaws of the wolf,
he willed it not to be deprived of so great a benefit, but constituted
him for it as Patron: by whose intercessions it may both turn aside
from harmful things, and be directed to wholesome things: whom we ought
to venerate so much more honorably, by how much more precious
an exchange we rejoice that he was given to us.

[2] For if we pass to the history, and wish to scrutinize the beginnings
of our belief, [given in place of SS. Peter and Mark.] we ought to seek out the documents
of our faith from the holy Prince of the Apostles
and Blessed Mark, his son in baptism: who
having set out from Antioch came divinely to Taranto;
and the people obscured by an idolatrous mist they illumined
with the fire of the divine light; and sowing the seeds of faith, the multitude
being left not of gods but of demons, they changed it to the knowledge
of the one true God. But because the other of the two,
namely Peter, Master and head of the future Church
of Rome, owed it, among the other Churches destined to have
the primacy; but Mark of the province of Egypt
about to believe in God: they besought of God, that, since
he had foreseen them to be ordained elsewhere, the people acquired
by them he would not leave orphaned, but provide another
Patron for it in their place. To the pieties of the Apostles
God conferred efficacy, both by the merits of those praying,
and by the reason of justice: for each wrought
unto the effect, both because such were those who prayed,
and because they sought things worthy to be granted: for neither,
if they should ask against right, although Apostles, would they obtain what
they desired, wherefore B. Paul's prayer concerning the removal of
the goad of the flesh was not heard. The holy prayer of the Saints obtains
its effect, and in their place
sets this patronage and protection upon our land.
But how great this glorious Pontiff was in life,
the miracles wrought after his passing demonstrated.
But how the precious treasure, namely his venerable
Body, was found, and some
miracles wrought after his passing, with God's help, will be
narrated in compendium.

[3] Therefore [a] Drogon the Archbishop, a religious man,
panting to the services of God with his whole heart, divinely
inspired, disposed to demolish from the foundations the greater
church of Taranto, consumed by age, and to found a new one:
which in ornament and magnitude should surpass the old one.
This so praiseworthy purpose pleases sufficiently all who hear it:
the work is begun: [From a sweet odor the Relics are discerned:] and with the other
diggers, a certain man of a most excellent life was digging,
whom God had prepared for uncovering so great a treasure:
who when he had dug somewhat deep, began to perceive
an odor of wondrous sweetness: he persists at the work, and
is filled with greater sweetness. Meanwhile he uncovers a tomb
of marble fair enough: and perceives the odor proceeding
from the sepulcher. He began to cry out to the Pontiff.
The Pontiff is called, he hastens: and gazing at the monument,
began to conceive in mind, that from the Relics
held within that most sweet odor proceeded. The Clergy
runs: the people hastens, not so much by the voices as
by the sweetness of the inviting odor. The Prelate, the spade taken,
opens the tomb, from which all who were present are suffused with a wondrous
odor. They see the holy Relics, more ruddy
(as is read) than old ivory. [Lam. 4, 7] They find a golden Cross,
designating the name of the saint [b] in Latin letters.
A procession is suddenly prepared, [the name is designated:] lamps of wax candles
are lit: aromatic spices of diverse kinds are burned.
But the sweetness proceeding from the Relics far
surpassed the odors.

[4] A vast joy arises: they kiss the Relics:
and render thanks to God for so inestimable a treasure
found. [the Relics are reposited] The Pontiff with his own hands collects the holy Relics,
and the ropes brought down, the monument is drawn up
on high, and in the best place, where at present
it is seen, [c] is established, in which, reverently composed,
the most holy bones are most devoutly [d] reposited. For
declaring his merits God doubles the testimony:
because him whom he first made manifest by the sweetness of the odor,
he rendered more manifest afterward by the effect of miracles.
Meanwhile through the neighboring places flies the fame of so great
miracles: and in troops they come bringing the sick.
Of whom those who came with a [faithful]
heart are restored to their former health.

[5] Among whom a certain woman came, with her arms withered by languor:
which laid upon the monument, [withered arms are cured,] she was so
totally restored to health, that in her no vestige of the languor
remained. A certain man of Benevento, dissolved in his whole body
by the sickness of paralysis, [paralysis,] hearing the aforesaid
miracles of the Confessor, devoutly visited his church:
and laid upon the monument, devoting himself to prayers,
he obtained his former health. In whose cure
two other miracles concurred. For besides
the paralytic aforesaid, with no one being in the church,
it being locked, the several bells began to be rung of themselves
by angelic hands: and its very doors, which
were closed, [the deaf and mute,] are unbarred of their own accord. A certain
woman also, long now remaining deaf and mute,
coming to the tomb of the Saint, and there lying through the night,
prayed to God with what mind she could. And
having received health, the tongue, which had long been silent, proclaims
the miracles of the most blessed Confessor. [the contracted.] A certain youth,
deprived of the power of his limbs by a long sickness,
laid by his parents at the sepulcher of the man of God,
with a copious multitude of men present there, who
by annual custom had come to visit the Saint,
by the merits of the Confessor merited to obtain bodily
health.

ANNOTATA.





CHAPTER II.

The Translation of the body, and various miracles thereafter wrought.

[6] Moreover [a] Giraldus Archbishop of the Church
of Taranto, devoted to B. Cataldus, divinely
inspired, determined to repose the Relics of the Confessor
in a more precious place. A skilled silversmith is found,
who completes a fitting silver chest: in which
were sculpted the images of the Saviour, of the glorious Virgin
Mary, of the holy Angels and of the Apostles
the number of twelve. There was also applied to the work a small portion
of the health-bringing wood of the Cross, covered with gold and with precious
stones; that the Redeemer, beholding the sacraments of his passion,
by the pious prayers of men by that contemplation might more
clemently be inclined. And so, the felicitous casket for the Saint's
receptacle completed, the same Pontiff
appoints the day of the Translation: [the Relics are transferred into the silver chest] for which to be most devoutly
celebrated in the church, not only those dwelling within the bounds
of the diocese of Taranto, but those existing in remote
parts, likewise convened: and a fast having been proclaimed
by the Prelate, the day with the night is spent in prayers
and praises, and works of charity. On the morrow
the day of the Translation is appointed. In the morning the aforesaid
Pontiff with his fellow Bishops and the Clergy, litanies
and psalmodies having been chanted, they open the marble
monument fair enough: which for the receptacle of the saint's
Body long since now [b]
Raynaldus of good memory Prelate of Taranto, under
the principal altar of his own church had reverently caused to be reposited:
which being opened, an immense fragrance of the odor proceeded
from his Relics. Which Relics indeed,
thence reverently drawn out by the Prelate, in the same
silver chest are honorably reposited. But from the excessive
rush of the people thronging in the church, many were variously
held: and those who seemed as it were dead,
by the merits and virtue of the Confessor were rendered
unharmed: [in the year 1151.] But the glorious Translation was celebrated
in the year of the Lord's Incarnation [c] MCLI, on the tenth day
of the month of May, in the XIV Indiction, presiding indeed
over the Holy Roman Church the Lord Eugenius Pope
the third, reigning also the Most Serene Lord
Roger King of Sicily, with the excellent Lord King
William his son.

[7] [The frenzied are healed,] The first miracle therefore, by which he illustrated
the vigils of his translation, was in a certain poor little woman,
of the village [d] of Lellanum, frenzied for a long time,
utterly despaired of her health: who, when she heard
of the future Translation, came together with others: and at
the tomb pouring out tearful prayers, was swiftly restored to her former
health.

[8] A certain man of the castle [e] of Massafra, having a son
he might be present at the solemnities of the Confessor. On the night therefore
preceding the day, on which the glorious Translation was to be celebrated,
he laid the blind boy at the Saint's monument, tearful
prayers being poured forth, and after the cure of the frenzied woman
at a small intervening interval he perceived an odor of wondrous sweetness,
and he who had been blind received the light of his eyes.
While he ran through the church unharmed, the Shepherd and
the people seeing these things, sang psalms: and
hymns to God and to his blessed Confessor Cataldus.

[9] [the strumous,] On the same day on which the glorious Translation was celebrated,
whose whole body the king's-evil had so filled,
that the surface of the flesh seemed swollen in the manner of balls;
coming to the church as he could by limping,
and prostrating at the Saint's sepulcher, scarcely
the prayer finished which he had begun, suddenly received health.
Who, ungrateful for so immense a benefit, wished
to cover under silence the gift of God, by returning
to his own house. And when he had come to the doors of the church
to go out, he is stopped against his will: and the more he strove to go forth,
the more, as though driven by a wind, he was turned back
inward. And so it came to pass, that, compelled,
he published what had happened: and he who wished to conceal one thing,
necessarily afterward proclaimed two miracles.

[10] A certain nun of [f] Mutula, whose
sister for eighteen years labored grievously with the sickness of paralysis,
visited the church of the Confessor: [the paralytic,] and
hearing so many miracles wrought through the Saint, called
herself unhappy and wretched, that she had not led her sister
to the Saint for recovering health. At length
the said nun returning, and again coming back
with her sister weak and languishing, both entered the
church itself: who alone prostrate devoted themselves to prayer,
and at once the sick one was restored to her own
health. [the possessed,] Another nun also of S. Peter
of Mount Joy, not coming of her own will, but unwilling was present
at the solemnities of his Translation, compelled by the college
of the Sisters: for a malignant spirit had invaded her, and
sharply vexed her, so that she could in no way
be at rest. When she came with the other Sisters, with God
and the Saint praying for her; she on the contrary
blasphemed. At last by the merits of the Saint utterly freed,
with her Sisters she gave thanks to God and to his
wondrous Confessor.

[11] A certain other nun of [g] Gallipoli, struck with three years'
blindness, disposed to come by ship to Taranto, [the blind,]
and to visit the Saint's church. Who having entered
the ship, before she arrived where she was bound, received
the light of her eyes, which she had lost. And so her vision
recovered, going to the church, she narrated what had happened:
from which by her and others the clemency of God is praised and the
piety of his Confessor. A certain man of Bullita, [withered in legs and feet:] having a daughter
twelve years old, withered in legs and feet,
brought her to the church of the Confessor: where for four days
staying and likewise praying, his daughter
received not health. But the father despairing of his daughter's health,
disposes to return, and places her before the doors of the church,
that he might put the little baggage on the ass. He turns his head for his daughter,
and finds her not: he enters the church, and seeking her, finds her
unharmed before the Cross. Which done, they render praises
to God, and give thanks to his Confessor.

[12] A certain nun of the borders of [h] Alexanum, seized
with languor, [the deaf,] lost the hearing of both her ears,
so that for all wishing to speak to her it was necessary
to use signs and noddings of the fingers. The fame of the wonders
of the Confessor (although it resounded higher) was not able
yet to penetrate the deaf ears of the nun. Her sister
indeed suddenly inspired, leads her sister to the Saint,
not knowing whither she was tending. They enter the church,
and the sister shows the sister the tomb and the image
of the Confessor: she looks up to heaven, and touches both
ears of the suffering nun: and so the deaf one perceives
by an evident sign for what she had been led by her sister,
and began with clamorous voices to beseech the Saint. She believed
perhaps that she had come to an equal and like hearer.
But the blessed Confessor, condescending to her prayers,
swiftly restored to her her former health.
Both sisters therefore began, with a multitude
of people thronging, to give thanks to God and to his Confessor
Cataldus.

[13] A certain man [i] of Pellicorium, Ursus by name, a man
just and rich, had lost half of his body,
oppressed by a grievous infirmity. [the hemiplegic,] He therefore the fame of miracles
having learned, and seeing certain ones whom he had known to have languished
returned unharmed, caused himself to be led to the church
of the Saint: which having entered he is prostrated on the ground,
and with tearful prayers beseeches health. So in the night
while he slept in the church itself, he saw in dreams
only going before her: who coming
to the sick man commanded the minister gently to raise
the sick man's feet, that he might withdraw the bedding of the sleeper.
But when he was fulfilling the Lady's commands, the sick man somewhat
cried out. The Queen therefore saying to the minister,
more harshly than thou shouldest hast thou raised the sick man's feet; the minister
humbly thus answered: Lady, he felt no
injury thence. Therefore when the sick man had awakened from sleep,
he found himself unharmed: and narrating the vision which
he had seen, he most certainly recognized that the most blessed
Virgin the mother of God had conferred health upon him, with her
minister his wondrous Confessor mediating.

[14] A certain girl of [k] Brindisi, with pain of the head
long aggravated, [the blind,] lost the light of her eyes.
Her parents indeed paying the price with a liberal hand,
invited physicians to extirpate the blindness of their daughter:
who promised health to the sick girl, which
they knew not how to bestow. At length, the parents utterly despairing
of their daughter's health, the fame of miracles being heard, they propose
to come to the church of the Confessor. Silver
eyes are made, to leave in memory in the Confessor's church.
The girl in the night perceiving herself to see,
calls her parents to rise, saying that the day had already dawned.
The parents grieve very much,
believing the blind daughter unable to discern day
from night. When she more openly asserts, God has restored to me
the light, know it most certainly; they rise hastily,
and find that she has most truly recovered the light of her eyes.
Rejoicing they come with their daughter, and render thanks to God and
to the Saint for the health recovered. The silver eyes
also are hung upon the image of the Confessor.

[15] A certain woman of [l] Basilium, languor had wounded
her shoulder, [withered in the arm,] from which her whole arm withered.
She sought health first through temporal physicians,
then, the oratories of diverse Saints having been visited,
asked for bodily health with vows and prayers,
but was not able to obtain it: for the temporal physicians
promised what they could not give;
the spiritual ones indeed could, but would not, because they knew
it was reserved for others. Meanwhile the sick woman learned
of the Confessor's miracles, and applying faith,
with her brother as forerunner and guide, visited the Confessor's
church. And both praying before the tomb,
that night on which she had come the sick woman received health.

[16] [withered in the hand,] A certain carpenter of Taranto, Argentius
by name, living justly, his hand with the arm withered,
had lost the necessities of life with the same: for by the art
of his hand he lived and his own. And when through diverse
oratories he sought, it was revealed to him through a dream,
that elsewhere and from another he should ask health. So coming
to the Saint, with a tearful prayer he thus spoke:
I esteem, O Lord, nay I believe, that I have been sent to thy
sanctity, and that my health is reserved to thee.
To thee I come, to thee I run: render me whole to thy
flock, that I may proclaim God's and thy piety. But when
he was beseeching these and other things, the piety of the Confessor was not lacking:
for his former health restored, his hand with the arms,
he aggregated him unharmed to his flock.

[17] The fame of the miracles of the Confessor not only the
Apulians: but the Calabrians also being roused, it pleased
eight inhabitants [m] of Croton to come by sea, with two other sick men
taken with them and brought in the ship, one of them an inhabitant
and fellow-citizen withered in hands and feet, the other of
the castle of Persigro likewise suffering. And when between the Lato
with rain added to the wave, [likewise a storm dispersed.] thus the ship on every side
was shaken, that unless God should succor they would await
shipwreck, the ship being filled with a double water, namely rain-
water and sea-water. And so the sailors utterly
despairing of safety, began to invoke the help of the Saint, that
he would free them from the peril of death. [the other two are healed,] But the ineffable
piety of the Confessor renders itself more liberal than it is asked:
for the storm suddenly calmed, to the sick
he afforded health. Thus therefore by the protection of the Confessor
freed, going to his church, they glorify and praise the clemency
of the Saviour, narrating the miracles
wrought by the merits of the Confessor.

[18] [The vertigo of the head is cured,] To a certain Presbyter of Pomaria, suffering a lasting
vertigo of the head, beseeching the blessed Confessor
for his health with vow and tears, sleep having seized him he seemed to be present in the church of S. Mark, to confer
about his languor with a certain disciple of his.
Who advising his ailing master said: Go to
the Pontiff sitting behind the altar, who by name is called
Cataldus: and as he freed many sick of various
languors, so by accustomed clemency he will deign to have
mercy on thee. It seemed therefore to the sleeper that to the Saint
with swift step he came: who, making the sign of the Cross
on the head of the sufferer, kissing the forehead, announced
the sick man healed: enjoining upon him moreover
that he should go to his church. The Priest therefore awaking
and perceiving himself healed, did not delay to come to the church;
proclaiming to all the miracle wrought
for him unto the praises of God and the glory of the Confessor.

[19] [epilepsy,] A certain man of Lombardy, renouncing this world,
the Lord's sepulcher and the other holy places, where our
Lord had conversed, having most devoutly visited,
disposed to visit other houses of God, situated through diverse provinces.
Who passing through Monopoli [o],
when he returned, remained there some days. And understanding
in the same territory the monastery of S. Angelus to be situated,
going to it for a certain time he dwelt there with the monks.
At length by the cunning of the ancient enemy, envying his good
acts, with the epileptic languor, the falling sickness
which it is called, he is so sharply struck, that not
once in any month or day, but twelve times in each
he was tortured. He having heard the miracles of the Confessor
did not delay to set out to Taranto, and health recovered
returned unharmed to the services of the monastery.

[20] A certain girl of Meyaneum was on her neck
so surrounded by a multitude of scrofula, that in her
no space of health was left: of which some,
broken open, emitted continual matter; [scrofula on the neck,] part
indeed swollen threatened a near opening and effusion
of putridness. Her parents, desiring the health of their daughter,
used first the enchantments of women,
then various and diverse ointments, at last
procured health for the sick by the counsels of physicians.
All which aforesaid affording her no
health, the fame of the Saint's miracles being heard;
that to the blind sight, to the deaf hearing, to the lame walking is restored
and step, the paralytic are cured, and whosoever
weak by his merits receives soundness; they had brought to him their
daughter, asking with devout prayers his health.
The Confessor therefore with accustomed piety beholding the parents'
tears, so healed their daughter, that
in her no scar of the wounds remained.

[21] A certain widow woman of [p] Roseto, of good
conversation and life, in her whole body, although she was
tortured with languors, yet greater pains in her feet
she sustained: for they were made as it were dry wood,
rendering no service to the body.
The kinsmen of the sick woman, the miracles of the Confessor heard,
began most devoutly to beseech, that he would deign to succor
their kinswoman. The Saint therefore, benign
hearer of suppliants, appeared the following night to the sick widow,
[a languor of the feet,] and said to her: To thy languor
the piety of the Saviour will set an end: and for certain thou shalt be healed without
delay, if thou wilt set out to my house.
And so the sick woman coming to the church and praying,
the clemency of the Confessor restored entire health.

ANNOTATA.











and other places of the same name are found in Calabria.




p Rosetum, on the confines of Calabria and Apulia, situated not far from the sea, commonly Rosito.

CHAPTER III.

Other miracles, even wrought upon the Writer.

[22] The citizens [a] of Gerrusium, judging themselves wicked men,
because in some of their sick
the clemency of the Confessor had not wrought its virtue; [The leprosy of a Priest is cured,]
with the greatest devotion went to his church, armed with this
confidence, that the sound might receive the health of their souls;
and the sick, who [could not accompany them],
the health of their bodies: for they knew
that power of divinity to be present everywhere to those invoking it.
Of which sick ones
struck however with the infirmity of leprosy of two years: Who,
the scaliness of his spotted flesh cleansed, and the hoarseness of his voice
laid aside, by the merits and virtue of the Saint cured of his leprosy
was and cleansed. In haste therefore to Taranto
he studied to hasten, accompanied by many of his citizens: and
rendering thanks to God and to B. Cataldus, on his very altar
he celebrated the solemnities of the Masses.

[23] A certain woman an inhabitant of [b] Cubersanum, while she was going to
visit her sister dwelling at Polignano, [a tumor of the belly,]
the beast on which she sat being terrified, fell from it:
and so struck her belly against a stone, that
from that blow a tumor in the manner of a pot stretched out beyond the belly
as it were generated another belly. By this
most hard suffering wearied for seven years (although
she knew not the name of the Confessor) she began nevertheless
with a tearful voice to invoke the help of the Saint, who tarries at Taranto:
and scarcely the prayer completed she was made wholly
sound: and freed from all pains: and at once
rendering due thanks to God and to the Saint, and
publishing the miracle to all.

[24] A certain distinguished soldier of Taranto, Lord
Bedengerius named; [a pain of the side and of the body,] who, as a most eloquent
man and skilled in law, published the venerable deeds of the Confessor,
for translating a certain volume from Greek into Latin,
betook himself to Palermo, by Royal command
summoned. Whom an unusual and sudden pain of the side so
invaded, that he believed he would close his life with the pain: on this
pretext chiefly, as he himself attests, that to him
no member remained, but that it suffered the greatest
pains. Placed at the extremity of life (as he believed)
the piety of the Confessor came to him, whom he began with his heart
with tears to beseech. The Saint therefore wondrous
and benign heard the prayers with tears the more clemently,
in that by his word he swiftly restored him to health:
showing by a most true argument, that what he had said of
the [c] Finding and Miracles, he held grateful and esteemed.

[25] The eyes of a certain man of the place [d] of Salandra a black cloud
had so possessed for three years, [a three years' blindness] that it not
only had deprived him of light, but he was compelled to seek the necessities
of sustenance by begging another's aids. He,
diverse oratories, chiefly the Lord's sepulcher,
with the greatest labor having visited, divinely inspired
wished to visit the Confessor's church. Who, the journey
of coming undertaken, felt the greatest itching in his eyes:
and while he scratched them with both hands, from his
eyes there fell as it were the husks of an onion: and the lost
sight he recovers by the merits of the Saint so suddenly. By such
therefore a dispensation of God health recovered, he came to
the church of the Confessor, doubly weeping, rendering thanks
to God and to B. Cataldus.

[26] [a withering of the feet and legs,] A certain man of Taranto, Dominicus by name,
having a seven-year-old son, withered in legs and feet,
by the counsel of his kinswoman carried the boy himself
to the Saint. Where, prayers being poured forth with mourning,
the first night on which he had come, the boy restored
to his former health, ran about through the church. Concerning whom God's
power is praised and the piety of his Confessor.

[27] [the tempest of the sea is calmed.] Certain sailors of Taranto, returning from
the parts of Sicily, the gulf, which is called Nolpo, existing in Calabria,
while they furrowed by ship; a tempest arises
unexpected, and the sea changed into waves by the rage
of the winds, the seas were troubled. The iron chain
the mighty tempest dashes off, by which the rudder was held,
and it was cast into the sea: from which the sailors utterly
despairing awaited the peril of death. Weigh
therefore the miracle: which follows, and was done
by divine dispensation, not by human boldness. One
of the sailors, leaping of his own will into the sea, strove
to draw out the seized rudder: whom the wave with the seized
rudder separated so far from the ship, that
the companions could not behold him. The companions therefore for themselves and their companion
besought the Saint with tearful prayers, that he would free them
from shipwreck. And suddenly the rage of the winds being lulled,
the sea is utterly calmed, with the rudder
brought back into the ship with the companion to the companions unharmed. Who
returning to their country came to the church, and the vows which
they had vowed paying, render thanks to the Redeemer
and to his wondrous Confessor.

[28] On a certain day, the sun verging to its setting,
of light for two years, [The blind woman is healed,] lodging. Who kindly
received by her, questioned her about the quantity of time,
in which she had incurred blindness. Informed by her
answers, the pilgrim added to her, why
she did not go to Taranto, about to seek the help of the Saint tarrying there.
The woman justly swears that of the Saint she
had never heard anything. To whom the pilgrim: To
the Saint delay not to set out: and for certain thou shalt receive
health. But in the morning the pilgrim not being found anywhere,
the woman hastening to Taranto, on the way receives
soundness. Who with hastened step visited his church,
to render due actions of thanks.

[29] In the little village of Barsentum [f] there was a certain woman, who
had a son of one year, [and a little boy burned by fire:] sitting in a certain straw-heap
of hers: to whom by custom four neighbor women had come,
spinning and chatting with her, carrying spindles
in their hands. While they were intent on the work and
the conversation, by the cunning of the ancient enemy the boy withdrawing himself
from the midst, crawling as he could hastened to the fire,
putting his head with his face into the midst of the flames.
Which done, as dead, and not being able somehow
to weep, the women perceive the burning and the stench,
and so perceive by smell what they did not see with their eyes.
They cry out suddenly weeping, Holy Cataldus of God,
bestow the help of thy piety; the little boy snatched from the flames
breathed not at all. Two hours therefore now
having passed, the spirit began subtly to be moved. To
trust in his life after four days somewhat
when they had begun, they were nevertheless utterly
despaired of the light of his eyes. While they therefore vowed, the piety
of the Confessor was present, and obtained life with light from God.
Wherefore quickly they take the journey, and come to the Saint's monument.
The grandmother therefore and the mother of the boy, with bent knees
with their hands dragged along the ground, from the entrance of the bridge
to the church proceeded, that they might render
thanks for the saved boy, whom with a four-footed gait to
the fire the enemy had dragged.

[30] A certain young man of the Gauls, made Master of the liberal
Arts, divinely inspired, disposed to visit the Lord's
sepulcher and the other places, which our
Lord and Saviour by his presence illustrated. Which
having most devoutly traversed, through the islands of Romania [g]
while he returned thence by ship, by the obstacle of the winds a certain
trumpet-ship in which he was carried makes a delay at Trani. But
when he understood of the Saint's miracles, from then after God
he commits himself in all things to the Confessor. [The pilgrim is freed, the others being drowned.] For the tempest
of the sea being lulled, while he furrowed the Calabrian sea, after
Croton was left behind, on the sea a mighty storm
arose: which so strongly shook the ship, that
by the surges of the waves it was filled on every side. Thus therefore with
the pilgrims the sailors shaken, all that they had cast
into the sea, even the necessary tackle of the ship itself.
Meanwhile the ship was driven to the shore of Gerace [h] by the whirlwind:
and from the land it seemed to be distant as far as a stone's throw is,
where now it is lifted to the sky, now it is cast down
to the depths. The bodies of the pilgrims, wrapped in the marine
waves, were straightway deprived of life, with only that
pilgrim excepted, of whom above mention was made.
Who placed in so great a peril, the Saint
assumed to himself as protector with tears besought,
that he would not permit him to close his day in the waves of the deep.
And at once as if compelled by a wind, to the land unharmed
he is carried, and stood as it were made beside himself. At length
returned to himself he visited the church, giving thanks to God
and to the Saint, to whom after God he ascribes the remainder of his
life.

[31] A certain woman of Oria [i], grievously made sick,
was tortured by a lasting pain of the head: [from a pain of the head a blind woman is enlightened,] nor at a great intervening
interval did the pain bring forth blindness. Who weeping
continually ceased not to beseech Blessed Cataldus,
that she might recover the sight lost. On a certain day at midday
sitting at home praying to God, and to the Saint after the accustomed manner
with tears, she hears suddenly a noise as of someone
walking softly in the house: and asking who it might be,
on her head she receives a light blow, no answer
being received. She cries suddenly to a neighbor, that
from which she received the light of her eyes: and so
to the neighbor coming and others running together at the cry,
she recites the order of the thing done. Almost all
the people of Oria assemble, paying praises with joy to God and the Saint:
on the morrow the woman comes to the church
with a great company of citizens, praising God's
power, who through his faithful servant cured her of her
languor.

[32] A certain youth of [k] Ostuni in his hand
is struck with the suffering of pain in the thumb, [The ulcer of a thumb is cured,] whose flesh into a wound
is so perforated, that putridness from the wound continually
flowed forth. Which suffering by some is called a fistular
drop. His parents therefore began to seek physicians:
who profited the sufferer not at all. At last
they determine to go to Taranto to a certain physician,
proved in infirmities: and while on the morrow
they prepared to take the journey, in dreams the boy's father saw
by him likewise and saying; Why dost thou not labor to seek a physician,
who may heal thy son's [evil]? To
whom the father: Lord, whatsoever physicians I could
find, I have applied to the care of our child. One thing only
still remains, to go to Taranto to a proven physician,
if perhaps he can render health to the sick one.
To whom he: Why, says he, dost thou not bring him to
the physician tarrying at Taranto, who bears medicine [not] laborious
to the sick: and at once will restore thy son
sound to thee? And he seemed to touch the thumb
of the sufferer. But that man being awakened, narrating the vision
to his wife, she believes the Confessor is the physician: to whom
together with the boy while they came, the boy on the way obtained
health. So coming to the Saint, they glorify God
and praise him, and proclaim the wonders of the Confessor.

[33] A certain girl of [l] Trani, the only child of her parents,
adorned with nobility, beauty and morals, [the paralytic mute and lame is healed] struck
with the infirmity of paralysis, lost the office of walking
and of speech, with all her beauty. The parents
seek out temporal physicians, hiring them at a great price:
whose antidotes approved affording the sick girl no
health, they dispose to bring her
to the tomb of the Confessor. And the journey begun
while they ride between Mutula and Massafra, the mount
which bore the sick girl falls to the ground suddenly,
its foot struck against a stone. But the sick girl fearing lest
by the beast's fall she be hurt, God help me, with a great voice
cried out. And at once running about with a cry, far
from the mount she withdrew: and so in the same moment to speak
she recovered and to walk. While she therefore ran about for
joy and spoke, the parents perceive God's mercy
to have been present, and by the Saint's patronage their daughter
restored to health: who with psalms and actions of thanks
come to the Saint's monument, and what had happened
they make manifest.

[34] The Lord of the castle of S. Nicandro [m], of the territory
of Bari, with his wife, illustrious in nobility of morals and birth,
had a beautiful and comely son,
now reaching three years: whom a most grievous fever
so invaded, that with his appearance changed to pallor he refused to suck
the breasts, nor was the faintest pulse perceived.
With closed eyes the vital warmth leaves the limbs, [the dying boy] he becomes colder
than ice, and the infant is reckoned dead. The wretched
parents grieve weeping with their kinsmen and crying out:
and when they prepared the shroud, and all the things necessary
for burial; the father divinely inspired, as if from sleep
awaking from the tears which he poured, began to say
with a cry, O most holy Confessor of Christ, Blessed
Cataldus, [and the sick mother,] as by thy mediating prayers
the clemency of the Saviour restored to me my partner almost
dead; so to me and my wife let the boy be restored unharmed,
that we may bring him to thy holy Relics.
The wife also implores the help of the Confessor praying;
that as he freed her from sickness, so from death
he would free her son. Soon the infant began to open his eyes,
and to suck the breast of his mother. Whom restored to health
the parents bringing to the Saint's tomb, vows
double for the mother and the boy they rendered.

[35] A certain man of the Transalpine parts, who confessed himself
after seeking everywhere on earth in vain
the benefit of health, hearing of the Saint's miracles,
on Palm Sunday betook himself to Taranto: and the solemnities
having been performed outside the gate while the procession returned,
to all that man appeared exceedingly monstrous.
Which seen, those praying and individuals began to wonder alike
and to be amazed, [and a monstrous king's-evil is cured.] and for fear signing themselves with the sign
of the holy Cross, for his health with tearful prayers
they implore the mercy of God. For he bore in his throat
side of the throat far protruding, exceeding the magnitude of a ball,
which the camels display when
they coil up the length of their neck. The wretched man approaches the church,
embraces the tomb, provokes the Divine clemency
with sighs and weeping. On these works he persists
until the following day of the Lord's Supper. On that
day the solemnities of the Masses being begun by the Prelate,
while the Gloria in excelsis Deo was solemnly sung;
and the people responded And on earth peace to men and the rest;
that fleshy mass, before harder than bone,
is changed into the softness of butter: and by divine aid
perforated at each head poured forth poison and bloody
matter, like a wineskin perforated on both sides;
and the skin exhausted, remaining emptied of putridness, was
gathered up again like the dewlap of a bull. And the sick man being so restored
to health, all so jubilate and exult, to God and the Saint
with hymns and praises as many as possible chanting.

[36] Many indeed and other miracles the holy Confessor
wrought, but they are few written of many: for who
could write all things, which assiduously work in us
his virtues? With accustomed piety therefore, holy Father
be to thy people an impregnable wall, [S. Cataldus is invoked.] an impenetrable
shield, an inviolable helmet, an unfailing breastplate, a daily
fortification, an everlasting patronage. Increase
health by thy prayers, obtain peace, and minister
whatsoever wholesome things: remove the noxious, obtain pardon of sins:
grant therefore that, cleansed of crimes, we may please
him whom thou pleasest, our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ;
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns
through the infinite ages of ages.

ANNOTATA.













APPENDIX.

On the finding of the tongue of S. Cataldus and of the book written by him.

Cataldus, Bishop of Taranto in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 1654, 1655

FROM MSS.

[37] After many [a] courses of years, which flowed
from the passing of this Saint, under the Prelacy
of the Lord [b] Roger Archbishop of Taranto, while by
the command of the same Pontiff, through certain good
and honest Clerics of his Church, [The tongue found] the Relics of B.
Cataldus, which had been reposited in [c] a silver arm,
were sought, to be reposited in a better and more honorable [way];
there by chance was found the tongue of the most blessed Confessor
(as is seen) whole and unhurt [d]. The Lord wishing to show:
that the tongue, which in his life effectually
preached him, after his death immaculate should wonderfully remain; that there might be fulfilled the Prophetic saying,
A gracious tongue in a good man shall abound. [Eccl. 6, 5]

[38] On the VIII day of the month of April, the X Indiction of the year
MCCCCLXXXXII, of the Pontificate of the most holy in Christ
Father and our Lord D. Innocent by divine providence
Pope the eighth [e] the eighth year, which was the day
exalted our Lord [g] D. Ferdinand, by the grace of God
King of Sicily, Jerusalem &c. On the Saturday before the said
Sunday, [in the year 1492 Cataldus appearing causes his book to be sought.] at two or three hours of the night, there appeared
visibly to the Deacon Raphael Cucera of Taranto,
standing in prayer in the choir of the greater church of Taranto,
Blessed Cataldus Rachau Archbishop
of Taranto: and after exceeding terror received
by the said Raphael, he addressed the same Raphael,
saying: Often and oftener I have told thee, that
thou go into the church of S. Peter, existing outside the walls
of Taranto by a stone's throw, and thou wouldst not go:
I tell thee that at once thou go to the Bishop, who the people
and Clergy of the city being assembled may go to the said church:
on the front of which he will find in a column
with his hand and two fingers the place, in which
you will find a certain prophetic judgment, which
I made while existing among men, and that I placed beneath the feet
of the said image, which I caused to be painted. In
which place indeed you will first find a certain Cross
of lead fashioned in the said column. Beneath the said
image, in which are sculpted the below-written letters. And
afterward thou wilt find a certain book of lead
beneath the said Cross, with leaden covers: and
on whose cover are appointed the below-written letters.
Let that book be sent closed as it remains to the King, and
let him observe the contents in it: otherwise woe to his kingdom, because
it shall suffer the greatest ruin, pestilence, famine and
war of the infidels. And the aforesaid if he will not believe, go thou
Raphael to him, and tell him this vision
shown to thee. These things said he vanished from his eyes [h].

The Book.

thus it was on the leaden cross
Open ye
here ye
will find
and at once let it be sent
to the King

ANNOTATA.









On the following light with solemn pomp the minister with a company of the people proceeded to the hiding-place, in which for a very long age the little book had lain hidden; and that he found it sealed with leaden tablets and barred with keys, is sufficiently established.


INQUIRY

On the age and deeds of S. Cataldus in life.

Cataldus, Bishop of Taranto in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 1652

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

[1] A difficult question it is, or rather conjecture, concerning the time
in which S. Cataldus was Bishop of Taranto, and
from what part of the world he came thither. John Iuvenis book 8 on
the Antiquity of the people of Taranto chapter 2, where he treated of the Life of S. Cataldus,
adds these things: Who succeeded Saint Cataldus as Bishops,
Presidents of the Church of Taranto, [Many uncertain things about the life of S. Cataldus.] is not sufficiently clear
until the year DXCI, with Gregory Pontiff Maximus:
either because the writings were burned, or because there were none
before this time: since those who by the Pagans
were found Christians, were either afflicted with stripes,
or with swords and various kinds of torments
slain. It is wonderful therefore, that of Cataldus alone there exist
writings, and those almost beyond human faith to be admired:
and yet they as it were the first foundations are brought forth
by the said John Iuvenis in his antiquity of the people of Taranto,
and from him by Ferdinand Ughello tome 9 of Sacred Italy in
the Archbishops of Taranto. Which with great labor Bonaventure
Moronus of Taranto of the Order of Minorites in six books in heroic
verse published at Rome in the year MDCXIV, but his brother
Bartholomew Moronus added to them the Life of S. Cataldus,
from the Catalogue of the Saints and the most ancient MS. codices
of the Church of Taranto, and from the Office reformed by Sirletus
the Cardinal.

[2] In the History of the Finding and of the miracles num. 2 it is said:
How great this glorious Pontiff was in life, [written by Petrus de Natalibus,]
the miracles wrought after his passing, nay after the finding,
demonstrated, which soon in compendium are narrated,
long before the Catalogue cited of the Saints was written by Petrus de
Natalibus about the year MCCCLXX, and any foundation
of fables was given. There book 4 chapter 143
it is said that he was born of the town of Ireland called Catandus, that his mother
having died in childbirth without anyone's help he embraced
and revived; and having fallen on a stone, the mark of his crown, as if
it had been the softest wax, by a hollow he made; and
by rainwater fallen into it whatsoever sicknesses
were healed. Afterward a Presbyter he raised two dead;
and when by the King he was to be expelled, that man being terrified
by Angels, he received the dominion of the extinguished Duke; in
which after a church was constructed being elected Archbishop,
he constituted twelve suffragan Bishops;
and all things duly disposed, he rested in peace on the eighth
Ides of May: but where? Was it in his Archiepiscopal Church among
the Irish? But afterward it is said the body was found
and entombed in the Church of Taranto.

[3] [and drawn from MSS., as to his birth, country,] These things from the Catalogue of Petrus de Natalibus, which in the first place
Moronus alleged; who then alleges the MS. codices of the Church
of Taranto, which we also received various, and sufficiently agreeing
with the Life published by Moronus and Iuvenis. In these it is said
that he was born among the Irish in a town of the province of Numenia.
But which is that? We judge Momonia is understood, in whose
County of Waterford is Lismore, a city once Episcopal,
then united to Waterford, near which there was the town of Catandus.
His birth is said in the MS. Acts by a most bright star
designated, and that Dichas the hermit himself
foretold he would be great. But whatsoever wonderful things in
his birth here and above we have noted, in the Office by
the Cardinal Sirletus amended are omitted as fabulous, and
dictated by a certain wandering Irishman under pretext of piety brought to Taranto,
from those things, which everywhere of Irish Saints are narrated
for the genius of the nation, the easily credulous fables of their poets:
for so we have already elsewhere often discovered to have happened,
to the Patrons of celebrated places, whose age, origin and country were less
known. But this of S. Cataldus could be done more confidently,
because the name seems to be Irish rather
than Greek. Certainly many Cathaldi in his indices
to the Acts of the Saints of Ireland Colganus names. But
we fear lest the rest ascribed to Ireland be of like flour,
of the dead raised, and an Archiepiscopal see erected with
twelve suffragan Bishoprics, and this in the second century of Christ,
that is about two hundred and sixty years before
the coming of S. Patrick, who first brought the Christian faith
into Ireland. Hence to our MS. in which it is indicated that he came to Taranto
in the time of Anicetus Pope in the year CLXVI,
someone had written in the margin in the year DLXVI: and in Sirletus
the time of his coming to the city of Taranto is involved in silence.
Moreover the above-mentioned Alexander ab
Alexandro, [the Episcopal see Rachau:] while he indicates the finding of the book (which happened in the year
MCCCCXCII) after about a thousand years elapsed from that
time, in which he had presided over the See of Taranto, sufficiently intimates that about
the five-hundredth year more or less he lived.

[4] Moreover by Moronus he is surnamed Cataldus Rachau,
from the Archiepiscopal See which in Ireland he had held.
But who mentions this metropolis? The city of Armagh
S. Patrick chose, but situated in Ulster: and in Momonia
was Cashel the metropolis, where the first Bishop and
King at once Cormac, is said by the Danes about the year
DCCCCV or somewhat later to have been slain in battle. While round about
through various regions we seek the province of Rachau
and its metropolitan See, there occurs a city in Illyricum
the Ragusan, which John Lucius in his Dalmatia calls Ragusium
and Rausium, as it were Ragausium, that thence
Rachau could have been formed. But because from Epidaurus, destroyed in the seventh century of Christ. Ragusium or Rausium
it is established was constructed, that See should be assigned to S. Cataldus too late;
and because among the people of Taranto after Caesarius the XI Archbishop
there is a gap of nearly three centuries, to the eighth century
or the following his coming to the people of Taranto would be
assigned: which though it seem not inconvenient, that, the people of Taranto
breathing again from the yoke of the Saracens, Cataldus undertook
to govern them under the empire of the Greeks, yet we are unwilling first
to assert: but to the examination of the learned men among the people of Taranto we leave conjectures of this kind, [perhaps Rath…] until for supporting them
more solid arguments offer themselves, than is the sole affinity of the names
Rachau and Ragusium. Especially since the very name of Cataldus
favors the Irish; and as the names of Catondus and Numenia
are held corrupt without doubt and depraved, otherwise
in Ireland not easily to be found: so also it can be believed
that the name Rachau is depraved, whose perhaps true beginning
is Rath, signifying a fortress, or fortification, in the nomenclatures
of the Irish churches taken from the site
by no means infrequent. So in the old notice of the Bishoprics subject to the Roman
Patriarchate (which at the end of the Sacred Geography
from an ancient MS. of Thuanus Carolus a S.
Paulo published) under the Archbishop of Armagh are reckoned the Bishops
of Rathbotum and of Rathurum or Rathburum. Because
moreover before the dioceses, ordained under Eugenius III in the XII century,
the division of dioceses was very confused among the Irish,
and the ministries of Abbots and Bishops undistinguished, and many
Bishops were ordained in Ireland, who then attaching themselves to a simple
parish or monastery, did not raise those places
to the number of Episcopal Sees; not difficultly can it be conceived
that Cataldus, before he departed from Ireland, was
ordained Bishop in some place, whose name from Rath
begins, if this is the legitimate correction.

[5] [these being omitted, the last part of his life is given from a MS.] In the other MS. submitted to us after the history of the Finding,
Translation and Miracles we find the Life of S. Cataldus
after his departure from Rachau accomplished in a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem, thence on his return to Taranto, and with his labors
there transferred until his death: from which at least it is established
that the said pilgrimage was instituted, after there the sepulcher
of the Lord by command of Constantine the Great had been erected,
which in the following centuries was wont with a great concourse of pilgrims
to be visited. That part therefore as in some measure
probable here we set down, in which the better are wanting the companions
of the journey added by others, and they are Euperpius, afterward
called Leucius, Bishop of the people of Brindisi, and Barsonuphrius,
by the people of Oria reckoned among the Patrons: of him
we treated XI April, and his Acts we showed partly fabulous,
partly uncertain. But the various Acts of S. Leucius we gave
XI January, but which concerning the times in which they lived confer nothing
certain. Morenus adds, that Donateus or Donatus
his brother was brought, and given to the people of Alezio or Lecce as Bishop,
whom Ughellus constitutes their third Prelate.
These and other things omitted the assigned part of the Life we add
and it is of this kind.

[6] [Rachau converted,] Blessed therefore Cataldus the devout Confessor of Christ,
after he had the whole province of Rachau,
in which he shone with the dignity of the prelacy, by
his wonderful preaching converted to Christ; divinely inspired
disposed to visit the health-bringing sepulcher of the Lord,
in which for the redemption of the world he had lain; and to adore
the places; where his most holy feet had stood.
A ship being hired, he sets out on the way by ship
under the habit of a pilgrim: and after much labor coming
to the holy city of Jerusalem, the sepulcher
of the Lord he entered; [he visits the Lord's sepulcher] and it with the lips of his heart
and of his body he most devoutly kissed, rendering immense
thanks to the Redeemer of the human race, who
deigned to grant him, that he might touch his most precious
monument, from which he had risen victor
of death. Then the holy oracles he visited of that most blessed Virgin: which by him with exceeding devotion
visited, his mind was filled with spiritual joys,
while from virtue he was advanced unto virtue. After
these things to lead an eremitic life [he chose] in the parts
mentioned: yet his purpose, which to God
he commended, he disposed to His will: who
directed his works. And when according to the desire
of his heart he had suppliantly besought God, that to him
he would deign to show, what would be pleasing to His will;
to him devoutly praying appeared the Lord Jesus
Christ, and among other colloquies recalled him from his eremitic
purpose, commanding him, [by God he is destined for Taranto.] that to a part
of Italy he should betake himself into a city, which Taranto vulgarly
is named, and the people once uncultivated and given
to idols, by Peter the Apostle and Mark
his disciple converted, to the truth of the Christian faith,
and again entangled in their former errors,
he should lead back to the firmness of the Catholic faith.

[7] Truly faithful B. Cataldus the servant and
minister of Christ, hearing the Lord's precept made to him,
of coming to Taranto, with hastened step came
to the shore: [he foretells a tempest of the sea;] and a ship being found sailing to the parts of Apulia,
he covenanted that it should carry over there himself and the other pilgrims,
who were there. As they departed
therefore from the Transmarine parts, sailing the various seas of the places,
with a prosperous wind blowing, the holy man
mighty in the prophetic Spirit, foretold to the sailors, that
after nearly half an hour they would run into the greatest tempest:
when of this thing no indication appeared.
And scarcely after an interval of about half an hour, there arises
tranquillity of the deep into waves. And so the thick
rope, by which the sail is lifted on high of the mast,
is broken by the violence of the most mighty tempest. Meanwhile
one of the sailors younger and apter than the rest, while into the ship's
mast he had climbed, that he might fasten rope to rope, suddenly
him beneath the ship cast the stormy rage of the winds,
and the ropes broken he breathed out his spirit. At length
all, who in the ship were present, of bodily life utterly
despairing, their souls to omnipotent God with tearful
prayers and vows commended. And amid such
straits some were mindful of the word, which
the holy man had said of the aforesaid tempest, who at his
feet prostrated, him humbly asked, saying:
O man of God, who this tempest about to come
by the divine spirit didst foretell, [he drives it off by prayer:] we beseech God,
whom thou worshippest, that for us it may please thee to beseech him, who
by thy prayers may deign mercifully to free us from the present
peril. The holy Confessor, as he was
filled with piety, fled to the protection of prayer:
and the prayer made suddenly the tempest is lulled. With exceeding
serenity succeeding, and to God thereupon are rendered manifold
prayers of thanksgiving. So the placation
of the winds being made, again the most blessed Confessor in prayer
gave himself, with tearful prayers beseeching the Lord,
that to life he would restore the dead young man and
broken. [he raises the dead,] For the clemency of the Saviour was present:
for the dead young man to life he restored sound and whole,
by the prayers and merits of his wondrous Confessor.
The impediment of the winds being lulled from then on,
the parts of Romania being left behind, into the waves
of Apulia the ship glides: and to the port of Otranto
they come, a prosperous breeze succeeding. Where the servant of God
setting down they suppliantly asked him, that
for them he would beseech the Lord. To whom blessing
bestowed he departed from Otranto toward Taranto, directing his prosperous
steps.

[8] And while he had his journey to the same city through
the territory of a certain little village, [the deaf and mute he heals:] which is called Fellinum,
and passing by had gone, the said place being near by one mile,
he met, who was leading a flock of sheep to pasture.
And when the holy man had several times addressed her,
she in no way answering him; the blessed
Confessor understood her not to have the benefit of hearing and of tongue:
having compassion, he said to her: I command thee, girl, in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thou answer me
without delay. And at once the girl received hearing
likewise and speech: and leading him into the hamlet, to all
she divulged the miracle; which the holy man, in her
had wrought by divine power. Wherefore
the inhabitants of her hamlet received him honorably.

[9] But the most blessed Confessor of Christ
Cataldus entering into the city of Taranto, there entered into it likewise
the grace of the Saviour. [a blind man by baptizing he enlightens:] For while he had passage through the gate
of the city, there met him by divine disposition
Whom blessed Cataldus addresses thus saying: Of what
religion or faith are these men of this city? The blind man
answered: Our fathers were anciently Christians:
but now there are few who hold the faith
of Christ. To these things blessed Cataldus. Thou, son, art a Christian
or a pagan? The blind man answered: Never
did anyone teach me the faith of the Christian name: For
much time, that there was not any Bishop
in this city. To whom B. Cataldus said: If from thy whole heart
thou wilt believe in the holy Trinity, that is the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, and in his name in
water thou wilt be baptized, in soul and body thou wilt receive
brightness. And at once the blind man answered: I believe as
thou Father truly tellest me. Then the blessed Confessor
the water taken him in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit with his own hands baptized. In the same
hour his eyes are opened, and he began enlightened to the bystanders
to say with a cry: Come and see
the holy man of God, who me in the name of the Lord
by baptizing restored to me the light of my eyes. At this
voice there was made a concourse of crying peoples,
praising God and saying, that such a stupendous
miracle from the age they had not seen.

[10] [he converts the people of Taranto] Then the blessed Pontiff and minister of Christ seeing
an innumerable people gathered who would believe in the Lord,
began to preach to them the faith of our Lord
Jesus Christ. [and the neighbors,] But the people of Taranto all and
each, and the multitude of the peoples of the neighboring cities, who
flowed together to his preaching, hearing his
health-bringing doctrine; and also the signs and prodigies,
which through him daily the Lord Jesus
Christ wrought, were baptized, receiving the Lord's faith
expounded to them by the venerable Confessor. Now
the same blessed Pontiff was for governing
the people exceedingly solicitous and intent, conspicuous in goodness,
the thresholds of the church he continually frequented;
his body with fastings, vigils and prayers he afflicted; [he aids all,]
toward the oppressed and desolate very compassionate;
whose affairs as his own he managed. His tongue
mellifluous of spiritual and health-bringing doctrine to teach
daily all and each ceased not. [he ordains a Clergy;] He ordained
meanwhile Priests and Clerics of diverse order
for performing the sacred mysteries of the church, in the city of Taranto
and the other neighboring villages, which through him in the Lord
believed.

[11] After these and other tokens of virtues, which God
wrought through his Pontiff still with the carnal
burden weighed down; there was now imminent the time,
in which for his labor he was to receive the full reward from the Lord.
By exceeding sickness of the body therefore
weighed down, seeing the dissolution of his body imminent, [sick he comforts the faithful;]
the Clerics and several other
faithful men of the city being called before him, he said to them: Brethren and
my most beloved sons, know that against the Catholic faith
by heretics a very great persecution will be at hand.

But you after my death confirm the people
and teach them; that in the faith of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which I preached to them, they remain firm and constant.
For to this province not by chance
but by the Lord's precept did I set out. For when
I was at Jerusalem there deigned to appear to me our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to give in commands,
that to this city personally I should betake myself,
and his faith solicitously I should preach, which
B. Peter the Prince of the Apostles and B. Mark
his disciple, in baptism his son, preached
there. Moreover I will, [he disposes concerning his burial;] that you place my body in the greater
church on the eastern side, in the place, which
is called of S. John in Galilee, and that under the earth
with all diligence you repose it. At length, in him completed
the ministries, which are wont to be done about the faithful
dying, [he dies with the bells ringing.] that holy soul released from the flesh in the joys
of eternal brightness was placed: but in that same hour
the bells of all the churches of the city by Angelic
hands began to be rung. The body of the holy man therefore being brought
into the midst of the greater church, [famous for miracles] that about him
the venerable Clerics might laudably celebrate the exequies;
to him of both
sexes innumerable peoples
flowed together, with a copious multitude of diverse sick,
and of the languishing miserably oppressed.
Who as they touched his venerable body, were restored
forthwith to health. At length the exequies and
praises being honorably celebrated the Clerics and other citizens
of the city, diligent counsel having been held upon this, a sepulcher
of marble of wondrous beauty erected.
In which placing most devoutly that most holy body, [he is buried.]
it under the earth, as he had commanded, with all
diligence they put, to the praise and glory and
honor of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father
and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns through the infinite ages
of ages. Amen.
