Chapter 28. Cardinal Paul Emilius Sfondrato

Paul Emilius was born at Milan, 1561. His father, Paul SfondratOj was a brother of Gregory XIV ; his mother, whose name was Sigismund, "belonged to the family of Este. In his youth, Paul showed the happiest dispositions, and when old enough to choose a state of life, at once gave preference to the Church. He came to Eome at an early age, and spent some time in the house of the Oratorian Fathers, at St. Maria, in Yallicella, where he had the happiness of becoming acquainted with St. Philip Neri. The ardent piety of young Sfondrato was stimulated by the society of this illustrious servant of God, and in his interviews with the holy old man, he imbibed that charity towards the poor, that zeal for the adornment of the sanctuary, and that fervent devotion towards the martyrs, which were his principal characteristics throughout life. Gregory XIV., who was made Pope on the 5th of December, 1590, created his nephew, Paul Emilius, Cardinal, on the 19th of the same month, a promotion which was universally applauded. The young Prelate, then twenty-nine years of age, was absent from Eome when he received the news of his elevation. He hastened to his uncle, who had always appreciated his virtue, and who now admitted him at once into his councils. Eome was at this time intensely interested in the affairs of France. A Calvinist prince had claimed the crown ; he had been vigorously opposed by the League, but the decisive battle of Ivry which had taken place immediately after the death of Sixtus V., had rendered further resistance vain. Urban VII., had reigned but thirteen days. Gregory XIV., supported by his nephew, Paul Emilius, responded to the cannons of the victorious Henry by fresh anathemas. But after a short

Pontificate, he was called to his reward. He wag succeeded by Innocent IX., who reigned but two months. The cause then passed into the vigorous hands of Clement VIII.

The death of Gregory XIV. restored to his nephew the leisure he so much coveted, and with increasing ardor, he devoted himself to works of piety and mercy. His uncle had magnificently provided him with rich benefices, but he did not make use of them to surround himself with the luxuries which his elevated position rendered perfectly justifiable. His palace, void of hangings or tapestry, proved that he preferred to clothe the poor of Jesus Christ. The Pontifical Court admired this prince of the Church, who never suffered any but earthen vessels to be placed on his table, that he might be enabled to feed a greater number of poor. Such was Sfondrato, when at the very pinnacle of honor; such he remained during his whole life.* Two objects engrossed his

• Amelot de la Houssaye, editor of the letters of Cardinal d'Ossat, ambassador from Henry IV. to Clement VIII., mentions in the notes of this book, different testimonies of the profound esteem in which Sfondrato was held at the Roman court. According to the expression of Delfini, the ambassador from Venice to the Holy See, this cardinal walked in the footsteps of Cardinal Borromeo. (Lettres de d'Ossat, tome v., p. 304). Cardinal Bentivoglio, in his memoirs, gives a still more precious and detailed account of the virtues of Sfondrato in his private life, and also attests the great veneration he enjoyed. (Ibid., tome i., page 89). D'Ossat, who well understood human nature, speaks with admiration in his correspondence of the firmness of Sfondrato when, in an assembly of cardinals, he alone, of all the Sacred College, refused to give his vote for the prcmiotion of Sylvester Aldobrandini to the cardinalate. This nephew of Clement VIII. was but fourteen years of age, and Sfondrato generous soul: 1st. To glorify Christ in His triumphant members. 2d. To soothe Christ in Ilia suffering members. Sfondrato studied this lesson fti the school of St. Cecilia. Gregory XIV., in elevating him to the purple, placed in his hand as a pious inheritance the Church he had himself held, that of our illustrious martyr, who, during her life had been so full of compassion for the poor ; so zealous in burying the champions of the faith. It was reserved for Sfondrato to walk in Paschal's footsteps; Christ destined him to place a much more brilliant crown upon the brow of his Spouse than she had received in the ninth century from the hands of a Pontiff. Sfondrato took possession of the title of St. Cecilia on the 25th of January, 1591. The ceremony, was pompous and solemn, notwithstanding the raging of a violent storm, accompanied by thunder and torrents of rain, which being unusual at that season, might well have thrown a gloom over the brilliancy of the festival. The new cardinal paid his respects to the abbess and her community in the parlor ; he spoke of his veneration for their Church, and added, with charming simplicity, that if he had felt any desire for the purple, it was only that he might become titulary of St. Cecilia. The result will prove the cardinal's sincerity.* About this time Sigismondo d'Este, mother of Paul Emilius, came to visit Borne, fearlessly quoted to the Pontiff that canon of the Council of Trent, (Sess. xxiv.) which requires the same age, learning, and qualities for cardinals as for bishops. (Lettres de d'Ossat, tome v., page 317).

• Archives of St. Cecilia. Croniche del venerabile monastero di S. Cecilia.

accompanied by the cardinal's sister and sister-in-law, and several ladies of the family. They visited the Church of St. Cecilia, and treated the religions with the greatest affability. Not satisfied with conversing with the abbess and sisters in the parlor, they begged to kiss their hands. It was therefore necessary to admit them into the interior of the monastery, which was immediately done. During this interchange of mutual charity, Sfondrato's mother remained upon her knees, through respect for the Spouses of Christ. Thus did all this family testify their affection for our illustrious Saint, by the respect which they showed to the consecrated virgins who guarded her sanctuary. Sfondrato felt that the Basilica which had been restored to the abbess by Maura Magalotta, sixty years previous^, required some repairs ; and, moreover, he did not consider it sufficiently handsome. He undertook a general restoration, and without destroying the antique and venerable character of the edifice, he threw over it that air of splendor so well suited to the Churches of Eome. Sfondrato's first thought was to enrich the Basilica with the numerous and important relics which he had collected, frequently through the mediation of his uncle. They were contained in a number of silver and silver gilt caskets; and that he might preserve them more worthily, he conceived the idea of placing them under the altar of the Confession. But the accessible space between the altar and the mysterious region of the tombs, was not sufficiently large to contain this precious deposit. The cardinal decided to enlarge the place, and, eagerly desiring to find Cecilia's body, he resolved to pierce through the thick stone wall upon which the altar rested. He th ought with reason that the tomb could not be far from the entrance; and, moreover, he knew that the opening in front of the altar must correspond with Cecilia's sepulchre, since formerly the faithful by means of this opening lowered pieces of linen to touch the tomb. In the expectation of a discovery which was to prove the consolation and glory of his life, Sfondrato ordered the workmen to labor only in his presence, commanding them to suspend their operations when he was forced to leave the Basilica.*

Finally on Wednesday, the 20th of October, 1599, the Cardinal commanded that the pavement should be taken away from before the altar. They then cleared away the ground from around the stones, and loosened the foundations of the wall which covered the subterranean enclosure. After making with much effort an opening in the thick wall, the space under the altar was clearly seen. Two sarcophagi of white marble, placed side by side, three feet below the ground, at once struck Sfondrato's eye. These, two tombs were directly under the altar. Transported with holy joy, tlie Cardinal determined, before opening the tomb, to send for some reliable witnesses. He immediately despatched messengers for the Bishop of Isernia, Vicegerent of the Cardinal Vicar, James Buzzi, Canon of the congregation of Lateran, and Fathers Peter Alagona and Peter Morra, of the Society of Jesus. They soon arrived, accompanied

• All these details, and those which follow, may be found in Bosio's interesting; relation of the finding of Cecilia's body and those of her companions.

by several members of the Cardinal's household. After again examining the place, they hastened to open the first tomb, that which was nearest the subterranean entrance. The workmen having removed the marble slab which covered it, a cypress coffin was seen inside, four feet, three inches in length, thirteen inches in width, and seventeen high. There was no appearance of a lock, and the upper lid was not even fastened with nails. It was very thin, and opened and closed by means of a groove. For some time, Sfondrato and his assistants wrere uncertain how to open this sacred coffin, which they were sure contained the body of St. Cecilia. Finally, the Cardinal himself discovered the proper means, and, with trembling hands, respectfully removed the frail obstacle which concealed the virgin's body from his eyes.

It was a solemn moment. After eight centuries of obscurity and silence, Cecilia appeared once more to the faithful of Christ, in the ineffable majesty of her martyrdom. The interior of the coffin was covered with the same damask, although somewhat faded, writh which Paschal had lined it.* Time had respected the thin veil wThich the Pontiff' bad thrown over her bod)r, and through this tr»sparent texture, the gold with which her dress was embroidered, sparkled with brilliancy. f

• Aperta capsa circumornata undique apparuit intus textili quodam sericae quam vulgo appellant saiae similitudinem referente, coloris ex viridi et rufo permixti, cujus tamen nitorem temporis longiuquitate obiuscatum agnosceres. Hoc illud est textile, de quo sic Bibliothecarius in Paschali, dum dona quae is Pontifex huic Eccleske contulit, recenset : Fecit in arcella, ad corpus jam dictce Virginis vest em de quadrupulo cum periclisin. Bosio. Relatio inventionis et repositionis S. Caiciiice et Sociorum.

f Intra banc capsam beatae Caeciliae Virginis corpus extabat

Who can describe the joy of these Catholic hearts to whom heaven had granted the favor of being the first to salute upon her triumphal couch, the martyr of the third century, who, in these tempestuous days, was revealed to the Eoman Church, as if to encourage her in her conflict with error, and to give to her children, a sure pledge of the reward that awaited those who should fight courageously until the end. Those heroes of Catholicity, who had so lately shed their blood in England,* in Holland, f and even on the seas, J were also sleeping in the tomb, and Cecilia, rising from the grave, not only wished them peace, but proclaimed by her example, the truth of that oracle of the Psalmist : " The Lord keepeth the bones of His servants, not one of them shall be lost.r§

All were eager to gaze nearer on the mortal remains of the Spouse of Christ. Sfondrato, with profound veneration, raised the veil, and exposed to view, the treasure confided to the tomb by Urban and Paschal. The martyr was clothed in her antique robe, embroidered with gold, upon which the glorious marks of her virginal blood were still apparent;! at her feet was the linen stained with the purple of her martyrdom.^" She was lying upon her right side, serico, atque fusco coopertum velo, subterque velum vestes aurese virginei sanguinis notas respersse, fugaci tenuique fulgore translucebant. Bosio. Relatio invent to nis et repositionis S. Ccscitiaz et Sociorum.

• Under Henry VIII. and Elizabeth.

f The martyrs of Grorcum.

t F. Ignatius Azvedo and bis thirty-nine companions.

§ Psalm xxxiii., 21.

|| Vestes aurese virginei sanguinis notis reapers*, Relatio Relatio, find.

H Insuper ad pedes sacrati corporis linteamiiiuui glomttfl jaooand seemed to be in a profound sleep.* The neck still bore the marks of the wounds made by the lietor's sword ; f the head, by a mysterious and touching curvature, was turned towards the bottom of the coffin.^:

The body was found perfectly entire, whilst the graceful and modest figure of the saint, preserved so miraculously after so many centuries, vividly recalled the martyr breathing her last sigh upon the pavement of her Caldarmm. The spectators were transported in spirit to the day when Urban had reclosed the coffin, without disturbing the attitude which the virgin had chosen to yield up her soul to her immortal Spouse.§ They also admired Paschal's prudence in leaving the body just as he had discovered it, and thus preserving so grand a spectacle for posterity.]!

bat convolutorum, ilia nimirum quae ipse Paschalis in litieris Inventionis suae commemorat. Bosio. Relatio etc.

• Jacebat id corpus in dexterum incumbens latus, paululum contractis cruribus, brachiisque ante projectis. Bosio, Ibid.

| Corpus S. Csecilise adliuc intactum, serica viste auro texta, vulnerum cicatricibus apparentibus, Clemens Papa VIII., in argentea urna sub ara maxima collocari curavit. Fonseca De Basilica S. Laurentii in Damaso, page 285.

J Cervice autem valde reliexa, facieque ad humum proctrmbente, dormientis instar. Bosio. Ibid.

§ Earn ut crcdi potest formam retinens, in qua post trinam percussionem, cui triduum supervixit, animam Deo reddens conciderat, fueratque pariter in Ccemeterio ab Urbano Pontifice collocatum. Bosio. Ibid.

|| The cypress coffin must have been the identical one in which St. Urban buried Cecilia. It is very certain that it would have been impossible, in the ninth century, to transfer the martyr's body to so narrow a coffin, without disturbing her attitude or even.disjoini/ig her limbs. Anastasius, in relating the marks

They next proceeded to open the second sarcophagus ; it was contiguous to that of Cecilia, but buried deeper under the altar, towards the apsis. In it were found three bodies, lying side by side, each wrapped in a shroud. The first was placed with the feet towards the right side of the altar ; the head had been taken away. The second with the feet towards the left side of the altar ; the head was with the body, although severed from it. The third, with the head attached to the body, was in the same position as the first.*

It was easy to recognize Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus, in this imposing triumvirate of Martyrs. In the first place, Paschal's inscription enumerated the three bodies which he had interred near Cecilia. The absence of the head, in the one occupying the first place, left no doubt that the body belonged to Tiburtius, whose head, as we have stated, was of honor paid by Paschal to Cecilia, only mentions the material with which he lined her coffin, proving evidently that the latter was not new, and therefore only needed ornamenting. The small size of the cypress coffin is easily explained by the neces-. sity of placing it in one of those narrow cells, where the bodies of the martyrs were frequently deposited without coffins. The very fact of a coffin in a marble sarcophagus, would be a sufficient proof that it existed before Paschal's discovery of the body. The bodies of Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus, were also in a sarcophagus, but they were laid upon their backs, simply wrapped in shrouds. So were those of Sts. Urban and Lucius. The learned Protestant writers, Platner, Bunsen, etc, in their great work upon Rome, (Beschreibung der Stadt Rom. vol. iii., part iii. page 641.) find no difficulty in dating the Saint's attitude to the first sepulture; we think we have fully demonstrated that the cypress coffin was equally old * Bosio. Rdalio, etc.

preserved in a casket in the Basilica..4 The second was undoubtedly the body of Cecilia's husband, and there was such a striking resemblance between the bones of the two martyrs, that it was evident the brothers had suffered death at almost the same agef There was no doubt that the third body was that of Maximus. This notary of Almachius had not been beheaded, but had been beaten to death with loaded whips. His skull bore evident traces of this punishment. It was fractured in several places, and strange to say, the martyr's brown hair, clotted with blood, was entirely preserved, as if our Lord had willed to accomplish literally in him, the promise he has made to his Athletes. MNb one of your hairs shall be lost."} The skeleton of MaiJmus proved that he was much taller than the brothers, and his head adhered so firmly to his body, that when Sfondrato, at a later period, wished to remove it, he had great difficultv in doing: so.S

Tl^e sepulchre of Popes Urban and Lucius, was not discovered on that day. Sfondrato knew from Paschal's document, that he was near the two others, but he was eager to return to Cecilia's tomb, to

• Corpus sancti Tiburtii ab illo sancti Valeriani eo argurnento recognituin est. quoniaru sancti Tiburtii corpus capite carebat, cum foris in Ecelesia proprio in taberuaculo conservaretur. ut creditur ab ipso Pasehali Papa sublatum. Bosio. Rclatio, etc.

t Corpus dein.de sancti Valeriani distinctum est a Sancti Maxim i, ex eo quod inventum est illius caput a trunco corporis dfvuJsum. quod ei gladio recisum fuerat. magnitudine quoque. et formae proportione capiti Sancti Tiburtii it a simile, ut duorum pari fere state fratrum esse videreiitur. Bosio. Relatlo, etc.

% Luke xxi. IS.

§ Contra vero Sancti Haximi, qui non capite plexus, sed ad Decern plumbatia cx-sus fuerat. repertom est caput iia cum cor-

LIFE OF SAINT CECILIA. ♦ 273 whom the glory of this second Invention, as well as that of the first, principally belonged.

He ordered the cypress coffin to be removed from the marble sarcophagus, and carried with lighted candles to a place adjoining the church and monastery, generally used for hearing the confessions of the nuns. A wooden chest had been hastily prepared, covered with silk and closed by a lock. Sfondrato deposited therein the cypress coffin, containing the precious treasure which he valued so highly ; he then locked the out side chest, and sealed it with his seal. A platform was erected upon which the body of Cecilia was placed, on an even line with the grated window looking into the church, at the extremity of the lateral nave, on the left as you enter the church. * The news of so important a discovery spread quickly through Eome and excited the greatest enthusiasm.