Chapter 26. Events relating to St

The eleventh, one of the greatest of Christian centuries, owes its principal glory to Saint Gregory VII. This Pontiff' could not fail to venerate the generous virgin, who had won the admiration of Urban, in the heroic days of faith. Gregory, the martyr of Christian liberty, whose energetic and tender soul showed its power in the struggle against the Empire, at the same time that it poured forth its sweetness in his letters to the pious Countess Matilda, was devoted to Cecilia's glory, and humbly solicited her patronage. He renewed the altar of the trans- Tiberian Basilica, embellished it with a silver statue of the saint, and solemnly dedicated it in 1075, the third year of his Pontificate. The inscription which recalls this event, was placed in the crypt, where it was seen in the thirteenth century, when the altar was renewed. It is thus conceived :

f DEDICATVM EST HOC ALTAEE DIE III. MENSIS IVKII PER DNVM GREGORIVM PP. VII. AN3T0 DNI MLXXV,

When this giant of the Lord had finished his course, and traced out a path for his successors, he expired at Salerno, pronouncing these forcible words, which will re-echo throughout ages : "I have loved justice and hated iniquity ; therefore do I die an exile.'' His death occurred on the twenty-fifth of May, feast of St. Urban; hence the names of these two great* Pontiffs were united in the Christian calendar, as they had been in their reverence for Cecilia. This holy martyr assisted the Eoman Church in the eleventh century, with even more power than in the days of Almachius.*

At this period, the different altars of the Basilica were rebuilt and consecrated anew, and the Cardinal Bishops were so eager to obtain the favor of the Spouse of Christ, that they would not permit any other prelates to dedicate them. We find from an ancient deed, preserved in the archives of the Basilica, that the altar of our Saviour, situated to the left of that of the Confession, was dedicated on the 22d of May, 1060, by Humbert, Bishop of St. Eufine, the same who was so zealous for the interests of the Apostolic See, when sent as legate to Constantinople, at the time when Byzantium was preparing to consummate her schism. This same bishop was also sent on a mission to France, where, by his zeal, he crushed the heresy of Berengarius.

John, Bishop of Porto, who exerted so much in-

• This blending of the names of Sts. Urban and Gregory VII. on the 25th of May, was remarked in the eleventh century by the contemporary biographer of the latter Pontiff, and we cannot resist the pleasure of citing his eloquent remarks upon the heroic death of Gregory :

Itaque septiformi gratia plenus Septimi Gregorii spiritus, qui mundum et principes ejus arguebat de peccato, et de injustitia et de judicio, in fortitudine ccolestis cibi nuper accepti, ccolestem viam arripiens, meritoque divini zeli, velut igneo curru instar Elise subvectus, Urbani prcedecessoris sui cujus ea die festivitOB txtitit, omniumque beatorum loctitiam in coelesti gloria cum Christo gaudentium excellenter ampliavit. Paulus Bernrieden S. Gregorii V1J. vita, Cap. xii. Ada SS. Maiu Tome vi. page 102, fluence in the election of Gregory VII., to whom he remained inviolably faithful, consecrated on the 25th of May, 1071, the altar of the Blessed Virgin ; and, on the 3d, of January, 1072, that of St. John, ad fontem.

As we before stated, the bath room in which Cecilia suffered martyrdom, had been transformed into a chapel ; Ubald, Bishop of Sabine, dedicated its altar on the 17th of September, 1073.* Finally, the altar of St. Mammes, situated to the left of the grand altar, was consecrated on the 24th of February, 1098, under the pontificate of Urban II. by Maurice, Bishop of Porto. f

Thus, in the latter part of the eleventh century, the Basilica of St. Cecilia seemed to share in the universal renovation, which was felt throughout the whole Church of Jesus Christ.

Before his death, Gregory VII. had designated as his successor, Didier, the Abbot of Mont Cassin, Titulary Cardinal of St. Cecilia's church. After a determined refusal of nine months, the humble monk finally yielded, and, under the name of Victor III. assumed the government of the Church. He directed it with great success for eighteen months, when he was called to receive the reward of the elect. The trans-Tiberian Basilica counted in him the third Pontiff she had given to the universal church.

The twelfth century offers us some graceful stanzas in honor of St. Cecilia, found in a long sequence upon

Christian virginity, attributed to the venerable

• Altare Sanctse Ceciliae, quod est in Balneo ejus. t See in Laderchi, Vol ii, page 10-15, thfl deed which relates to the dedication of these altars.

Aelred, a Cistercian monk of the Abbey of Kieval, in England.* She is also mentioned with praise in a discourse of the learned and pious Honorius of Autun. We find in the three following centuries, innumerable sermons in honor of this glorious martyr, written by the most talented men of the middle age. William of Paris, Albert the Great, St. Thomas of Aquin, St. Bonaventure, St. Vincent Ferrier, are among the panegyrists of St. Cecilia. We regret that the style of these authors is too dry to admit of

• Istos nores virtutis geminae, Transplant avit in mente virgine Filius hominis.

Quos diversos facit nativitas, Non disjungit nlla diversitas In caput Virginis.

Rosa floris cornscat libere, Flos lilii non minus prospere Candet interius.

Quos attulit Sanctae Caeciliae, De secreto divinae patriae Coelestis nuncius.

Ne flagraret carnis concubitu, Conflagrata divino spiritu Caro puellulae.

Nee timeret ensem sanguineum Vel catastae stridorem ferreum Corpus juvenculae.

Mancipata divino cultui, Consecravit Sancto Spiritui Suum conjugium.

Spiritali rore refrigerans JEstus carnis, mundique temperans Onine ludibrium. Biblioth, vett Patrum, tome xxiii, page 168- our citing any passages from their sermons, which are rather scholastic than oratorical. They are, however, precious links in the uninterrupted chain of homage paid to the memory of the generous martyr throughout the course of ages.

Many other historians of this period were equally eager to celebrate Cecilia's merits ; Vincent de Beauvaisinhis " Historical Mirror " Jacques DeVoragine in his Golden Legend, Peter De Natalibus in his Lives of the Saints, and finally Saint Antoninus, in his Chronicle, are distinguished among others for the accuracy with which they have adhered to the substance of the primitive Acts. The Church at this time shone with the virtues and prodigies of the Saints who illustrated the last three centuries of the Middle Age. Cecilia's name was dear to all the friends of God, and this glorious Spouse of Christ frequently rewarded their love by appearing to them. St. Dominic saw the Mother of God enter the dormitory of his disciples, accompanied by Cecilia.* The Queen of Angels appeared to the Blessed Eeginald, to reveal to him his vocation to the order of Friar Preachers and on that occasion also was attended by Cecilia.f Some of the brightest spirits of heaven were sent to console St. Peter of Verona with pious colloquies, and the future martyr was likewise favored with a vision of St. Cecilia resplendent with glory, and accompanied by Agnes and Catherine.^

The Blessed Oringa, a Florentine virgin, avoided without effort all the dangers which threatened her

*-Acta SS. Augusti, vol. i.

f Theodorio de Appoldia. lib. ii. cap. xiii.

t Acta SS. Aprilis, tome iii.

chastity, and the infernal spirits being interrogated by a libertine, who was tired of soliciting her in vain, replied, that the servant of God was under the guardianship of the same Angel who had protected the virginity of Cecilia. St. Frances, the Eoman prophetess of the fifteenth century, before founding her celebrated monastery of Turrem Speculorum, had chosen for her favorite resort the Church of St. Cecilia, which was not far from the palace Ponziani where she dwelt. She loved to partake of the holy mysteries near the Virgin's tomb ; where often, rapt in ecstacy, she heard and saw the mysteries of heaven. There also she buried her two children, whom the Lord called to Himself in their infancy — Evangelist, in his 9th year, and Agnes not yet five.* France also joined in the homages which were universally rendered to Cecilia. Bernard of Chatenet, Bishop of Alby, on the 15th of August, 1282, laid the corner stone of his magnificent Cathedral, one of the most astonishing specimens of the ogive architecture in France, and the most imposing of all the monuments erected in Cecilia's honor. The work was carried on by the Bishops, Berald de Fargues,

• Acta SS. Martii tome ii. We regret that it is impossible to insert among the communications which the servants of God have had with St. Cecilia, several admirable incidents of the life of the Venerable Mother Agnes of Jesus, prioress of the Dominican convent at Langeac. This great Saint professed a special devotion to our martyr, and was frequently honored by her visits. The interviews which took place between the glorified and the militant Virgin, may be found in full in La vie de la Mere Agnes de Jesus par l'Abbe de Lantages pages 230, 608, 611. We shall find in these interviews all the strength and tenderness so admirably depicted in the Acts ol" the Itoiuan Virgin.

Jean de Sayo, Guillaume de la Voulte, and, finally, Louis d'Amboise who dedicated it on the 23d of April, 1480 ; it was not, however, entirely completed until 1512, wlien Charles de Eobertet was bishop of Alby. Built of brick which has become blackened by time, terminated at the western extremity by an immense tower which rests on four galleries and rises four hundred feet above the waters of the Tarn, the Church of St. Cecilia d'Alby, with its severe aspect, and walls one hundred and fifteen feet in height, looks more like a formidable fortress, than a temple consecrated to the Virgin whose name it bears. But the interior of this noble building is such as befits the sanctuary of the Queen of Harmony. Its vast nave, destitute of columns, rearing its vaulted roof ninety-two feet above the pavement, and surrounded by twenty-nine chapels, presents an animated appearance, not only on account of the graceful and yet imposing effect of its domes and arches, but also from the admirable blending of statuary and painting. This Church is deservedly considered the most complete in all its parts, of any, this side of the Alps.

In an architectural point of view, we cannot sufficiently admire the marvellous art with which the progressive developments of the ogival style are blended. All is correct ; no violent transition offends the eye, or disturbs the graceful effect of the united whole. The choir corresponds with the rest of the edifice. Louis d'Amboise placed opposite to one of the side doors, the effigy of Constantine, and opposite to the other, that of Charlemagne. The interior is adorned with a prodigious number of graceful and elegant statues, placed in fanciful stone niches. That nothing may be wanting to this sublime Cathedral, the whole edifice is covered with paintings. Scenes from the Old and New Testament and from the Lives of the Saints, the History of the Church, the Last Judgment and the torments of hell, cover the pilasters, the walls, and the small chapels. The rich azure of the vaulted ceiling is also resplendant with brilliant and graceful designs, a harmonious profusion of fanciful arabesques, ornaments of the acanthus, escutcheons, and medallions, sparkling with gold, which is as fresh as the ultramarine ground work that relieves the whole. Such, in a few words, is a description of the superb sanctuary which the piety of France has dedicated to Cecilia, but the veneration of the French people towards the heroic virgin, was manifested even in Eome. Guillame de Bois-Eatier, Archbishop of Bourges, in his zeal for Cecilia's glory, descended into the crypts of the Appian Way, and finding that the tomb which, for six centuries, had preserved her body, was unornamented, he caused the empty sepulchre of the great martyr to be embellished at his own expense.* The monument which he erected has been destroyed ; but the inscription which may still be seen, bears the following words :

HIC QVONDAM RECONDITVM

FVIT CORPVS BEAT^E CiECILI^E

VIRGINIS ET MARTYRIS.

• Labbe. Biblioth. MSS.t tome ii. page 130. 2L

HOC OPVS FECIT FIERI REVERENDISSIMVS

PATER DOMINVS GVILLELMVS ARCIEPS BITVRICENSIS ANNO DOMINI MCCCC NONO.^

More than once, French Cardinals presided as Titularies, in the marble pulpit which was erected in the centre of the apsis of the Church, so proud of containing the relics of its noble patroness. The most illustrious of all was u.n questionably Simon de Brie, who was created Cardinal by Urban IV., in 1262, and placed upon the Apostolic Chair under the name of Martin IV., in 1281. He was the fourth Pope appointed from the Church of Saint Cecilia. This Pontiff, who governed Christendom with honor during the short space of four years, presented two donations to the Basilica as a proof of his devotion. The first was a silver statue, adorned with precious stones ;f the second, a much more valuable gift, was the promotion of John Cholet, Bishop of Beauvais, to the Cardinalate with the Title of Presbyter of St. Cecilia's church. This prelate was very successful in important legations to France and Arragon ; he also founded in Paris the college which for a long time bore his name.J

In 1283, he rebuilt with magnificence the Altar of the Confession, which had been consecrated by Gregory VII. two centuries previously. With the

• Here formerly reposed the body of the Blessed Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. This monument was erected by order of William, Archbishop of Bourges, the year of onr Lord 1409.

f Ciaccouius. Vitce et res gestie Pontificum Romanorum et S. R< E. Cardinallum, tome ii, page 238.

% Ibid, page 239.

exception of some embellishments made in the seventeenth century, of which we shall speak later, the altar is the same used at the present day. The inscription engraven upon it by the architect of John Cholet in the thirteenth century, runs thus:

HOC OPVS FECIT ARNVLFVS ANNO MCCLXXXIII.

Vasari thinks that the Arnulphe above mentiotied is the celebrated ornamental painter Arnolfo di Lapo. The altar is ornamented with a rich mosaic upon a slab of that beautiful violet-colored marble called paonazzeito. Arnolfo's work is completed by a ciborium formed of four columns of black marble, spotted with white, called by the Italians preconesio.

Under Clement V., in 1312, the Church of St. Cecilia was again confided to a French Cardinal, Gruillaume Godin, of the order of Friar Preachers, who at a later period was appointed Bishop of Sabine.* Clement VI., in 1342, entrusted it to Guy of Boulogne, Archbishop of Lyons, who resigned that See in the same year, and became Bishop of Porto.f In the following century, in 1426, Martin V. bestowed the title of St. Cecilia upon the last French bishop, whose name was placed among the Beatified. This was Louis d'Alleman, Archbishop of Aries, famous for hostility to the Holy See in the conventicle of Basle, but more happily celebrated for the generous confession of his fault, at the feet of Nicholas V.J who restored to him the title of which Eugene IV. had

• Ciaoconius, tome ii., pago 384.

f Ibid., page 403. Gallia Christiana, tome iv., p. 105.

J Ibid., pa^o 841.

deprived him. Louis d'AUeman was succeeded in the Church of Saint Cecilia by another French prelate, who had followed him in the path of error, and who had also imitated the sincerity of lr.s repentance, Louis 'de la Palu, whose public career commenced with the council of Constance. He had been created cardinal by Nicholas V., in 1449. In the sixteenth century there were many French cardinals who held the Church of St. Cecilia. The first was Gabriel de Grandmont, Bishop of Tarbes, who was promoted to the purple by Clement VII. He died in 1534, after having occupied the Sees of Poitiers, Bordeaux, and Toulouse. The next, under Paul III., was John of Bellay, Bishop of Paris, who governed at the same time the Churches of Limoges, Mans, and afterwards Bordeaux ; he was but a short time titulary of the Church of St. Cecilia. In 1560, he died, Bishop of Ostia* Eobert de Lenoncourt, Bishop of Chalonssur-Marne, created cardinal by Paul III., obtained in his turn the title of St. Cecilia.f This prelate, who, according to a still prevailing abuse, possessed at the same time several bishoprics, is the same who erected in the Church attached to the Abbey of Eheims, the magnificent tomb of the Apostle of the French. Finally, the last French cardinal, who held the title of St. Cecilia, was Charles de Guise of the house of Lorraine, Archbishop of Eheims, who received the cardinal's hat in 1547. Like the two preceding, he was promoted to this dignity by Paul III4 The in-

• Ciaccoilrus, tome iii., page 568. t Ibid., page 646. X I bid. , page 724.

. fluence of this prelate in the general affairs of the Church, more especially at the Council of Trent, is well known.

We cannot conclude this chapter without mentioning an illustrious cardinal who held the title of St. Cecilia in the fourteenth century. He does not indeed belong to France, like those we have just mentioned, being an Englishman and a Benedictine; but his literary fame sheds a glory over his country and his order. Adam Eston, a professed friar of the Abbey of Norwich, was the most accomplished hebraist of his time, and the catalogue of his writings would alone be sufficient to place him at the head of the learned men of Lis age. Urban VI. rewarded such exalted merit with the honors of the purple, Eston's career was, nevertheless, a stormy one, and from the time of his elevation to the cardinalate, he knew no repose until the day when, having yielded his soul to God, his mortal remains were deposited in the Basilica of St. Cecilia. The following epitaph was placed upon his tomb :

ARTIBVS ISTE PATER FAMOSVS IN OMNIBVS ADAM

THEOLOGVS SUMMVS CARDI-QUE-NALIS ERAT.

ANGLIA CVI PATRIAM TITVLVM DEDIT ISTA BEATiE

^EDES CECILIA MORSQVE BEATA POLVM*

• Ciacconius. Ibid., tome ii., page 649. Ziegelbauer, Hist, rci litter ar. 0. S. B., tome iii., p. 185 et seq.