Chapter 7. Valerian repairs to Pope Saint Urban

Urged by an unknown power, the young Bom an, a moment ago so full of fire, quitted without an effort the virgin whose gentle accents had softened his heart, and before day-break reached Urban, having found every thing as Cecilia had predicted. He related to the Pontiff his interview with his bride in the nuptial chamber, which at once explained his presence. The venerable old man, overjoyed at the glad tidings, fell upon his knees, and raising his hands to heaven, his eyes moistened with tears, exclaimed: "Lord Jesus Christ, author of chaste resolves, receive the fruit of the divineseed Thou hast sown in the heart of Cecilia. Good Shepherd, Cecilia, thy servant, like an innocent lamb,* has fulfilled the mission Thou hast confided to her. In a moment, she has transformed her husband from an impetuous lion, into a gentle lamb.

• Hughes of Saint-Cher, commenting these words of Isaias : 11 Leo et ovis simul morabuntur," ingeniously applies them to St. Cecilia, who, like an innocent Lamb, dwelt with Valerian, figured by the Lion. The allusion is equally clear in St Urban's words. This renders inexplicable the change which these words have undergone in one of the Anthems of St. Cecilia's office, where, since the ninth century we read apis, instead of ovis. It is evident that the text is modified by this reading, and that the thread of the discourse is broken. The Ambrosian Missal, in which the words of St. Urban form the Offertory of St. Cecilia's Mass, has preserved the lesson ovis, as we read it in the Acts of the Saint. St. Bernard likewise read it so, as we see by a very pointed allusion, in his life of Saint Malachy.

If Yalerian did not already believe lie would not be here. Oh, Lord ! open the ear of his heart to Thy words, that he may acknowledge Thee, his Creator, and that he may forever renounce the devil, his pomps, and his idols."*

Urban remained a long time in prayer ; Valerian was deeply touched. Suddenly, a venerable old man, with garments white as snow, appeared before them, holding in his hand a book, written in characters of gold. It was the great Apostle of the Gentiles, St. Paul, the second pillar of the Eoman Church. At this imposing sight, Valerian, half dead with terror, fell prostrate upon the ground. The august old man kindly assisted him to rise, saying, "Bead this book and believe. Thou wilt then be worthy of being purified, and of contemplating the Angel whom Cecilia promised thou shouldst see."f

Valerian raised his eyes, and without pronouncing the words, commenced to read the following passage : "One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and

• Domine Jesu Christe, seminator casti consilii, suscipe seminum fructus quos in CoBcilia seminasti. Domine Jesu Christe, Pastor bone, Caecilia famula tua, quasi ovis argumentosa tibi deservit ; nam sponsum, quern quasi leonem ferocem accepit, ad te Domine, quasi agnum mansuetissimum destinavit ; iste hue, nisi crederit, non venisset : aperi ergo Domine cordis ejus januarn sermonibus tuis, ut te Creatorem suum esse cognoscens, renuntiet Diabolo, et pompis ejus, et idolis ejus. Acta S. Ccecelicc.

t Lege hujus libri textum, et crede, ut purificari merearis, et videre angelum,cujus tibi aspectum Caecilia virgo devotissima repromisit. Ibid.

in us all."* When tie had finished reading, the old man said to him : " Believest thou this ?" Valerian energetically exclaimed : " There is nothing more true under heaven ; nothing which should be more firmly believed." f As he ceased speaking, the old man disappeared and left Valerian alone with the Pontiff. St. Urban at once conducted the young man to the fountain of salvation, and after admitting him to the most august mysteries of the faith of Christ, told him to return to his bride.

Cecilia had conquered, and the first trophy of her victory, was the heart of Valerian, offered to the Saviour of mankind. During the absence of her husband, she had not left the nuptial chamber, still re-echoing with the sublime converse of the preceding night, and redolent with the celestial perfume of virginity. She had unceasingly prayed for the consummation of the great work, her words had commenced, and she awaited with confidence the return of a husband who would henceforth be dearer to her than ever.

Valerian, habited in the white garment of the neophytes:}: which he had just assumed, § reached the

• Unus Dominus, una fides, unum baptisma, unus Deus, et Pater omnium, qui super omnia, et in omnibus nobis est. Acta T#. CcEcilice.

f Cumque hoc infra se legisset, dicit ei senior : Credis ita esse, an adhuc dubitas ? Tunc Valerianus voce magna clainavit dicens : Non est aliud, quod verius possit credi sub coelo. Ibid.

t It should not be a matter of surprise that Valerian wore his white dress through the streets of Rome. Garments of this color were not unusual in a city, peopled by men of every nation, gome of whom continually wore white.

§ Veniens igitur Valerianus indutus candidis vestimentis. Ibid.

door of the chamber, and glancing respectfully around the room, beheld Cecilia prostrate in prayer, and, by her side, the Angel of the Lord, his face resplendent as lightning, his wings brilliant with the most gorgeous colors. The blessed spirit held in his hand, two crowns interwoven with roses and lilies,* one of which he placed upon the head of Cecilia, and the other upon that of Valerian, whilst with the musical accents of heaven, he said. kl Merit to preserve these crowns, by the purity of your hearts, and the sanctity of your bodies. I bring them fresh from the garden of Heaven. These flowers will never fade, nor lose their celestial fragrance ; but no one can see them, who has not endeared himself to Heaven, as you have done, by virginal purity. And now, Valerian, as a reward for thy acquiescence in the chaste desires of Cecilia, Christ the Son of God, has sent me to thee, to receive any request thou dost wish to make him."f The young man, overcome with gratitude, threw himself at the feet of the divine messenger, and thus expressed his desires : " Nothing in life is more precious to me than the affection of my brother, and now that I am rescued from peril, it would be a

• Cseciliam intra cubiculum orantem invenit, et stantem juxta earn Angelum Domini pennis fulgentibus alas habentem, et flameo as'pectu radientem, duas coronas habentem in manibns coruscantes rosis, et liliis albescentes. Acta S. Ccecili(e.

f Istas coronas immaculato corde, et mundo corpore custodite, quia do paradiso Dei eas ad vos attuli, et hoc vobis signum erit, numquam marcidum aspectus sui adhibent floreni, nunquani sni minunt snavitatem odoris, ncc ab alio videri poteruunt, nisi ab eis quibus ita castitas placuerit sicut vobis probata est placuisse. Et quia tu, Valeriane, consensisti consilio castitatis, misit me Christus Filius Dei ad te, ut quam volueris, petitionee insinues Ibid.

bitter trial to leave this beloved brother exposed to danger. I will, therefore, reduce m}r requests to one ; I beseech Christ to deliver my brother, Tiburtius, as he has delivered me, and to perfect us both in the confession of His name."* The angel, turning towards Valerian, his face radiant with that heavenly joy which the celestial spirits experience when a sinner is converted to God, replied, " Since thou hast asked a favor which Christ is much more eager to grant, than thou to desire it, thou shalt gain the heart of thy brother as Cecilia has won thine, and both shall receive the palm of martyrdom."!

As he concluded these words, the angel ascended to heaven, leaving Cecilia and her husband transported with happiness. Cecilia glorified the Master of hearts, who had so brilliantly displayed the riches of His mercy. She trembled with joy in seeing that Valerian's crown was, like her own, intertwined with roses and lilies, as a proof that he also would receive the honor of martyrdom. Tiburtius was to share the palm with his brother, but the happy prediction had not been extended to her. She was destined then to survive the brothers, and assist them in their combat ; beyond this the decrees of heaven had not

• Nihil mihi in ista vita dulcius extitit, quam unions mei fratris affectus, et inipinm mihi est, ut me liberato, germanum menm in pericnlo perditionis aspiciam ; hoc solum omnibus petitionibus meis antepono, et deprecor, ut fratrem meum Tiburtium, sicut me, liberare dignetur, et faciat nos ambos in sui nominis confessione perfectos. Acta S. Cwcilice.

f Audiens haec angelus laetissimo vultu dixit adeum: Quoniam hoc petisti, quod melius quam te Christum implere delectat, sicut te per famulam suam CaEcilium lucratus est Christus ; ita per te quoque tuum lucrabitur fratrem, et cum eodem ad martyrii palmam pervenies. Ibid.

been revealed. Valerian and Cecilia spent the ensuing hours in pious conversation, encouraging each other to merit the crowns which the Angel had placed upon their brows. The neophyte, filled with the divine love which participation in the sacred mysteries had kindled in his heart, spoke with the fervor of a recent convert ; Cecilia, initiated from her infancy in the doctrine of salvation, expressed herself with the experience and authority of a tried Christian. In the midst of this holy conversation, Tiburtius, impatient to see his brother, entered, and interrupted a colloquy worthy of angels. Saluting Cecilia, the wife of his beloved brother, he respectfully approached and imprinted upon her forehead a fraternal kiss;* but wrhat was his surprise in perceiving the most delightful perfume issuing from her hair. " Cecilia I" cried he, " whence comes this delicious odor of roses and lilies, at this season of the year? Were I to hold in my hand a boquet of the most fragrant flowers, their perfume would not equal that which I now inhale. It is so marvellous that it seems to renew my whole being."! " It is I, O Tibertius," replied Valerian, J " who have ob-

• Illis epulantibus in Christo, atque in sedificatione sancta sermocinantibns, Tiburtius Valerianifrateradvenit, et ingressus est quasi ad cognatam suam, osculatus est caput sancta? Caeciliae, et ait, etc. Acta S. Cvecilice, f Miror hoc tempore roseus hie odor et liliorum unde respiret ; nam si tenerem ipsas rosas, aut ipsa lilia in manibus meis, nee sic potuernnt odoramenta mihi tantae suavitatis intundere ; confiteor vobis, ita sum refectus, ut putem me totum subito renovatum. Iibd.

t It is almost useless to observe that Valerian, under this figurative language, referred to the mystery of the Blessed tained for thee the favor of enjoying this sweet odor, and if thou wilt only believe, thou wilt also see the flowers whence it comes. Thou wilt then know Him whose blood is crimson as roses, whose flesh is white as lilies. Cecilia and I wear crowns which thy eyes cannot yet behold. The flowers of which they are composed, are brilliant as purple, and spotless as snow."* " Is this all a dream, Valerian, or art thou speaking the truth ?" cried Tiburtius. " Until now," replied Valerian, " our whole life has been a dream. At last we have discovered the truth, and there is no deceit in us ; the gods we adored are but devils." 11 How dost thou know this?" asked Tiburtius. Valerian answered : " The Angel of God instructed me, and thou canst also see this blessed spirit if thou wilt consent to be purified from the stain of idolatry." 11 How long," demanded Tiburtius, " must I wait for this purification which will render me worthy of beholding the Angel of God?" "A very short time," replied Valerian; "only swear to me that thou dost renounce the idols and acknowledge there . is one only God, who dwells in heaven." " I cannot understand," cried Tiburtius, " why thou dost exact of me this promise."

Eucharist, which was concealed from the Pagans, and revealed to the Catechumens only a few days before their baptism.

• Odorem quidem meruisti, me interpellate, suscipere, modo te credente promereberis etiam ipso roseo aspectu gaudere, et intelligere cujus in rosis sanguis florescit, et in liliis cujus corpus albescit ; coronas enim habemus, quas tui oculi videre non prevalent, floreo rubore, et niveo candore vernantes. Acta S. Ccecilice.