Chapter 30. Sfondrato's preparations for the translation of Cecilia's body

On his return to Frascati, Sfondrato caused a new search to be made in the hopes of finding the tomb of the holy Popes, Urban and Lucius. It was soon discovered; Paschal had placed it under the sarcophagus which contained Cecilia's cypress coffin. The two Pontiffs were laid side by side, the former with his head turned towards the right of the altar, whilst the latter was turned towards the left. Each body was wrapped in a shroud. Sfondrato venerated with profound respect, the sacred remains of these martyr Popes, one of whom had been Cecilia's director, and her guest in the very house upon the ground of which now rose the Basilica. These precious relics were reserved to enhance the splendor of the festival, which Clement had appointed for the 22d of November. But before this solemn day, Sfondrato determined to take measures to ensure to posterity a part of the joy which he had experienced in contemplating the Spouse of Christ in her mysterious sleep. He therefore commissioned a skilful sculptor, Stefano Maderno,* to immortalize with his graceful chisel, Cecilia's attitude in her tomb. The design was made with scrupulous exactness, and the brilliant young artist, only twenty-four years of age, inspired by * He was born in 1576. He sculptured many of the ma-niilcent bass reliefs in the Pauline Chapel at Bt. Mary Major, among others, that which represents Pope Liberius, traoing upon snow, the foundation of the Esquiline Basilica.

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such a subject, enriched Christian statuary with this master-piece of grace and modesty which is one of the principal glories of the trans-Tiberian Basilica. He even represented the position of the martyr's hands, which so touch ingly express her faith. Three fingers of the right hand were extended to denote the three Persons of the Holy Trinity ; and the forefinger of the left, held out to represent the unity of the Godhead. Thus did even this symbolical sign prove, after so many centuries, the belief for which Cecilia had shed her blood. Notwithstanding his great desire to take from this marvellous tomb, some portion of its precious relics, Sfondrato's devotion was too delicate to permit him even to think of touching the body which had been preserved entire by Divine Providence during so many centuries.* He wished to reserve it for the day when Cecilia, at the sound of the angel's trumpet, would return to resume her glorious body, wrhich virginity seemed already to have stamped with immortality. The virgin appeared anxious to reward Sfondrato's pious reserve. In order to retain at least a memorial of the touching spectacle which had greeted his eyes upon opening the tomb, the Cardinal determined to take away some of the blood-stained linen at Cecilia's feet. He distributed portions of this sacred linen to many of the Cardinals residing in Eome, intending to reserve the

• Sfondrato veliementer optanti, precantique saepius aliquid sibi reliquiarum ejus concedi, cum exsacro corpore nemo, ac ne summus quidera Pontifex ob maximam reverentiam tollere ausus esset, ultro de eodem illi particulam benigna Virgo obtulisse ac donasse visa est. Bosio. Relatio invent, ct reposit, B, Cacilice*

last piece for himself. Now it "happened that a splinter of a bone from Cecilia's head had adhered to the piece which fell to his lot.* Hence, when looking at this linen, which had been used in staunching the virgin's wounds, the whole scene of the caldarium was present to his mind. Cecilia's head, fractured by the three strokes of the lictor's sword ; and the trembling hand of some friend, who, though staunching these large wounds with the utmost gentleness, could not prevent pieces of bone from coming away with the blood. Sfondrato preserved, as a precious jewel, this touching souvenir of the martyr, who had bequeathed it to him at the very moment when her sepulchre was again to be closed. He also wished as a last consolation, to retain a fragment of Cecilia's clothing. Without touching her silk tunic, he cut off a small piece of her dress. It was probably at this time that he discovered the secret of Cecilia's penance ; for he declares that he felt upon her breast, through her clothes, the knots of the hair shirt, which like strong armor, had protected the virgin in her combats, and which now shared her honors. f

• Nam cum ex linteaminibus tinctis sanguine, quae ad pedes jacebant (sacra etenim ossa nee ipse quoque tangere audebat) non nihil idem Cardinalis recidere vellet, quorum plerisque aliis purpuratis Patribus particulce divisas fuerunt, ad cam quam sibi recidebat partem sorte adluerescens virginei oranii fragmentum accessit ; de quo conjici potest, quod oervici proximuin esset ad triplicem ictum carniiicis pene reoisum fuisse ; ita ut facile cum ejusdem vulnera linteaminibus illis, quemadmodum in historia traditur, a fidelibus abstergerentur, ipsa abstersione in eis attralii, atque auferri contigerit, Bosio. lulntio, etc f Bed et quemadmodum ipse Cardinalis se animadvert isst> tcstatiir, sub aureis vestibua rigidum oilioii tegmen propiua Baoria ossibus hajrescons latubat, do quo ita Acta passionis ejusdem

We have said that the head of St. Tiburtius had been placed by Paschal in a casket, at the time of the first Invention, in 821. Sfondrato, before closing the tomb of the three martyrs, took away the heads of Valerian and Maximus, that they might be exposed in the Virgin's Basilica, with that of Tiburtius, to the veneration of the faithful. Cecilia's coffin, as we have said, was placed in a hall, situated at the upper extremity of the left nave of the church, and could be seen through a grated window which opened into the Basilica. The platform and coffin were covered with rich silk drapery, embroidered with gold. Handsome candelabras, numerous lamps, gold and silver flowers, added to the magnificence of the decorations. No perfumes were burned near the body, because, as the reliable author from whom we gather these details, tells us, a delightful odor of roses and lilies, proceeding from the coffin, embalmed the sanctuary in which it was placed.

Eome was in a tumult of joy at the news of so many miracles. Two months had not yet elapsed since the execution of the celebrated Beatrice Cenci, and the emotions excited on that terrible day had not entirely subsided. More pleasing impressions were about to succeed those which had so violently agitated the city on the 11th of September, when the Pontiff', in his justice, ordered the execution of this beautiful and noble Eoman lady. Never was a more striking contrast offered to the sympathies of this ardent people. Beatrice, expiating under the repeated blows commemorant : Ccecilia vero subtus ad camera v.ilicio induta desuper auro textis vestibus tcgebatur. Bosio. Relatio invent, et reposit. B. Caciliic.

of the executioner's axe, the parricide of which she had been guilty, and imploring pardon of Heaven in the presence of an immense crowd, which, infatuated with her beauty, clamorously demanded her release; Cecilia, innocent and pure, also struck several times by the lictor's sword, camly expiring, surrounded by her faithful friends, and leaving behind her a memory of imperishable sweetness.

This double scene must have presented itself a thousand times to the imagination of the Eoman people, and if the death of Beatrice taught them how a repentant sinner can die, Cecilia's death proved how sweetly a soul, enamored with the love of Christ, hastens to meet him, rejoicing in the cruel torments of martyrdom. During the days which elapsed before the Translation, the concourse of people was very great. It became even necessary to call upon the Pontifical Swiss guard to maintain order in the midst of this outpouring of the Eoman people upon the trans- Tiberian region. More than once, SIbndrato, who seemed to have taken up his abode in Cecilia's house, was almost crushed by the crowd.

The young patricians and Roman princesses hastened to pay their homage to one who had overcome all worldly seductions; but nothing could equal the joy of the nuns of St. Cecilia's monastery, the guardians of this precious treasure. They scarcely knew how to testily their gratitude at having been permitted to gaze upon her body; but by prayers, chants, and tears, endeavored to assure

Cecilia of the happiness caused by her presence in their midst. Nearly all the Cardinals came to veuerate the Spouse of Christ, and Clement VIII., having at length recovered his health, hastened from Frascati, to prostrate himself at her feet. Baronius has thus related the interviews between Urban's successor and the great martyr of the third century.

Clement, accompanied by the Cardinals, repaired to the Church of St. Cecilia to visit and venerate the sacred remains of this Virgin Martyr. The cover of the coffin having been removed, the Pontiff saw and venerated this body, worthy of the respect of angels. He offered it a homage, far more valuable than gold or precious stones; — prayers poured forth from an overflowing heart, and tears of the tenderest emotion.* He then celebrated the Sacrifice of Mass in honor of the Martyr, and declared his intention of solemnizing her approaching feast with all possible devotion.

• Ubi cum adesset, (Clemens), educto aperculo cupressinse illius capsae, veneranduin quoque Auigelis sanctissiniae ipsius corpus iis quae diximus (ut positum fuerat a Paschali Pontifice) opertum velis vidit, et veneratus est, atque ei tunc quam sciret omni auro, gemmisque esse gratiorem oblationem, preces obtulit, una cum lacrymis oblationis cordis indicibus. Baronius, ad an. 8-1, n° xxv.

The Pontiff's emotion on contemplating Cecilia's body, h an additional example of that sensibility of which he gave many touching proofs throughout his life. These tears of a stern old man, whose soul was nevertheless full of tenderness, recall his heart-breaking distress when forced to condemn the Cenci to death. He absented himself from Rome on the day when Beatrice, her mother-in-law, and her brother, were to be executed. Three discharges of cannon announced to him that these guilty heads were about to fall under the sword of justice. The condemned knew that at this moment the Pontiff would extend his hand to give them the Apostolic Indulgence for the hour of death. No sooner was this paternal act accomplished, than Clement VIII., fell senseless into the arms of his prelates.

But Clement should be particularly admired for his extreme modesty ; he would not consent to raise the silken veil which enveloped the Virgin. The blood which discolored the tomb, recalled too vividly that chaste blush which is the guardian of virginal modesty. He was quite satisfied with seeing the Virgin's body through the veil which covered it, and with reading the characters engraven near the sepulchre and preserved through so many centuries, by a dispensation of Providence ; in a word, with finding every thing conformable to Paschal's document.* Clement afterwards venerated his holy predecessors, Urban and Lucius, and the martyrs Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus, whose tombs were opened for a moment in his presence.

The Pontiff' would not be outdone in generosity by a Cardinal, and he therefore determined to offer Cecilia on the day of her Translation, a present worthy of her and of the Apostolic See. As soon as he had heard at Frascati, from Sfondrato and Baronius, the report of the discovery, he felt that it was his duty to prove in some way, his veneration towards the Virgin. At first, he resolved upon ordering a gold casket to contain the Martyr's body; but the two Cardinals dissuaded him, representing to him that so rich an object, beneath an altar,

• Sed ejus plurimnm in eo commendata modestia fait quod invitatus licet, noluit reductis velis, nudum Virginia corpus quantumlibet exsiccatum inspicere, cui esse videretur loco ruboris eustodi.s verecundiae vir^inalis, sanguis aspersus ; Batia ad (idem esse scions, membra singula cognovisse persupposita vela, atque vidisse a praedecessore inscripta Bepulohro atque descripta diplomats signacula illcesa reperta, atque divinitus oonservata Uosio. liclatio inventt et r epos it, 11. Ctectfue.

might excite cupidity. Clement, therefore, decided upon a silver casket, in the form of a tomb, sufficiently large to hold the cypress coffin.

The silversmith, charged with the commission, was ordered to finish and present his work to the Pope before the day appointed for the Translation. He used two hundred and fifty-one pounds of silver, and his price for his work and materials, was four thousand three hundred and eighty gold crowns. The casket was lined with purple silk ; the exterior being studded with stars which gave it the appearance of a new heaven, according to the poetical expression of Baronius, who compares the artist to Beseleel, the divinely inspired fabricator of the Ark of Alliance and the Golden Candlestick.*

The design was quite simple, f four golden cherubim were placed upon the corners of the upper part of the casket. The arms of Clement VIII. with the tiara and keys, all richly gilt, were in relievo on the sides. This immense coffin was hermetically closed. The lid bore this inscription.

CORPVS S. CJECILI^E VIRGINIS ET MARTYRIS

A CLEMENTE VIII. PONT. MAX. INCLVSM.

ANJSTO M. D. IC. PONTIF VIII.J

Whilst admiring this magnificent silver casket, our thoughts naturally revert to the elegant, large,

• In qua elaboranda, instar Beselelielis inspirati divimtus enituit industria excellentis opificis, qui veluti alterum ccelam corpori, cujus esset incoelo anima, fabricans, thecam illam stelli3 auri fulgore micantibus exornavit. Baronius, ad. an. 821, n° xxv.

t See the design in Bosio. page 168.

t The body of St. Cecilia. Virgin and Martyr, entombed here by Clement VIII. in the year 1599, the 8th of his Pontificate.

but empty sarcophagus of Cecilia Metella, left without honor under the portico of a palace. This wealthy lady had tasted of all the pleasures offered by the world to its favorites, the monument erected to her memory by Crassus, her husband, had for centuries ornamented the Appian Way; but the name of Cecilia Metella will never make the heart throb; no one has ever expressed the slightest anxiety respecting the fate of the bones which once reposed in this sepulchre, now a mere object of curiosity, whereas, the Christian Cecilia was sought for with care in the vaults of the Catacombs, and saluted with enthusiasm each time that her mortal remains were brought to the light of day. The contrast between the two Cecilias is still more strikingly shown by the symbols upon their sepulchres. The sarcophagus of Cecilia Metella is exposed to the inclemencies of the weather, its decorations awaken no sentiment of piety in the soul. Two horses' heads spring from the centre of the undulating channels which adorn the tomb ; the upper part is decorated with a severe and graceful frieze, surmounted by foliage, under the shade of which some animals are sporting; nothing to suggest the hope of immortality, or even a pious thought ; it is mere paganism in all its elegant coldness.

What a contrast to the tomb of the Christian Cecilia! If Urban, in his paternal tenderness, could only offer the Virgin and her narrow collin, an honorable cell excavated in the * soft stone of the Callistus Cemetery, Paschal prepared for her a marble sarcophagus ; and although he buried her in a crypt under the altar of the Basilica, he enriched the latter with elegant monuments, and took care that posterity should know that beneath the sumptuous altar, Cecilia was resting in peace. Eight centuries later, Clement VIII. deemed a marble tomb unworthy of the cypress coffin; prudence forbade his encasing it in gold ; he therefore ordered a silver casket to be prepared for the Christian daughter of the Cecilii. No vain ornaments enrich this casket ; its decorations all speak to the beholder of the life beyond the grave. Angels, whose presence reminds us of Cecilia's angelic purity; brilliant gold stars, emblematic of heaven ; the tiara and keys, proving the humble and tender respect of the Head of the Church to the virgin and martyr ; such are the emblems which adorn Cecilia's tomb and render it far preferable, in the eyes of Christians, to the beautiful sarcophagus of Cecilia Metella. With the artist and archaeologist, we admire the latter, as one of the most remarkable among the monuments, erected by the ancient Eomans ; but the silver casket, containing the body of St. Cecilia, speaks to our heart, and teaches us lessons which Christians alone can understand and fully appreciate.

The sarcophagus, formerly prepared by St. Paschal, was too small to contain both the coffin and casket; Sfondrato therefore ordered a new white marble sepulchre to be substituted for the old one. The two sarcophagi, containing, one the bodies of Saints Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus, the other, the holy Popes Urban and Lucius, were left in the same place in the Confession, the relics not being disturbed, with the exception of the two heads of which we have spoken, and a few bones which Sfondrato took away from each of these venerable bodies. He sent the wooden box, in which the cypress coffin had been enclosed from the day of its Invention to that of the Translation, to the monastery of St. Paul at Milan ; where two of his sisters and several other members of his family, had consecrated themselves to God.