The Holy life of Philip Nerius founder of the Congregation of the Oratory. To which is annexed a relation written by S. Augustine of the miracles in his dayes, wrought many of them in or near the city wherein he resided and well-known to him. And a relation of sundry miracles wrought at the monastery of Port-Royall in Paris, A.D. 1656. publikcly [sic] attested by many witnesses. / Translated out of a French copie published at Paris. 1656.

CHAP. VIII. His Body is Translated unto a Chappell built to his Honour Seven years after his Death.

IN the mean time Nerus de Nigris, one who always honoured and highly respected Philip, having a fair fortune, and no Issue Male, intended to have a Silver Coffin made to keep the Corps in. Acquaint∣ing therefore the Priests with his purpose, they judged it meet, to see first in what condition the Sacred Reliques of his Body were. So, on the seventh of March, four years after his death, breaking down the Wall, and opening his Tomb, they found the Corps covered all over with Rubbish, his clothes so mouldred and consumed, they looked more like a heap of dirt, then apparrell: yea the plate of brass, wherein was contained a Memoriall of the B. man, had taken rust: and every thing that was but touch∣ed fell in pieces straight. Insomuch as the Fathers thought all was vanished into Dust.

But when they had taken away all that was de∣cayed, they disovered the Body not only unconsu∣med, but the Brest especially so clear and whole, the skin so tender and soft, that they fell into extream admiration and joy together: the Physicians confi∣dently maintaining it to be done by Miracle.

After all this, Abbot Crescentius, oft heretofore mentioned, procures a Cipress Coffin to be made; into which, being decently provided, with a Pur∣ple Silk Counterpoint over it, taking the Body out of the old one, they laid it, about Evening on the thirteenth of March. All both Priests, and others of the Congregation came to do Reverence to the

Body of their deceased Parent. Thither repaired also Alexander Medices, and Frederic Borromeo to render all bounden thanks to God, that the Body of their Master was seen so fresh and lively. But on the thirteenth of May following Alexander command∣ed it should be attired in the habit of a Priest, and the same Cope put on him, wherein he said Mass, that day he dyed. Then the Cardinall put a Chap∣let on his head, made of Gum-Flowers, and pulling off his own hand a Ring that had a Saphire set in it, puts it on his, strewing the Body over with Silk-flowers. At his Brest they placed a Silver Crucifix: his Face which the Dampness of the Grave had a little touched, they covered over with Silver. And so it fell out, that what the B. Man in his life time said; in the end proved true: namely, That his Head should be covered with Silver, and Body be wor∣shipt with no less Veneration, than the other Reliques of Saints. The Coffin thus made was placed in the same Chappell with great state, being hard by the Organ on the left side of the Chancell: where it con∣tinued to the twenty fourth of May in the Year One thousand six hundred and two.

Meanwhile Nerus de Nigris, having chosen the Servant of Christ Patron to him and his Heirs, adopt∣ed himself and his into Philips Family by Legall Process: quartering his own Coat, whose Armes were a white Dog, with Philips in a Field Azure three Mullets Or. But as was said, Nerus having never a Son, betaking him to the Intercession of the H. man, soon obtained a Boy, whom in memory of the Blessing received, he named Philip. There∣upon altering his mind about making a Silver Coffin, he resolves to build a Chappell in honour of him, beautified with those Ornaments, and that Cost∣liness

in Jewells, as is at this day seen. The first stone of the Foundation was laid by Cardinall Fran∣cis Maria Taurusius together with XII. Brass Coines, and one Silver one; every one stamped with the I∣mage of the B. man, and this Inscription following. Beatus Philippus Nerius Florentinus, Congregationis Oratorii Fundator, obiit Romae Anno, 1595. Th•• B. Philip Nery a Florentine, Founder of the Congrega∣tion of the Oratory, died at Rome, in the Year 1595. And on a larger Medall of Lead were graven these words, Sacellum hoc in honorem Beati Philippi Nerii Florentini, Congregationis Oratorii Fundatoris, Ne∣rus de Nigris Nobilis Florentinus ob singularem in Bea∣tum Virum pietatem à fundamentis, suis sumptibus mag∣nificentissime extruendum curavit, anno Jubilei 1600. mense Julio, die octava, Festi Sanctorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, Clemente VIII. Pontifice, Pontificatus anno nono. This Chappell, in honour of the B. Phi∣lip Neri of Florence, Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, Nerus de Nigris a Noble Florentine out of his singular affection unto that B. man, caused to be most magnificently raised from the ground, at his own charge, in the Year of Jubile 1600. in the month of July, the eighth day of the Feast of the H. Apostles Peter and Paul, in the nineth year of Clement the Eighth, then Pope.

As the Chappell was a building, Nerus's Son fell sick of a disease incident to Children, called by the Italians Variolae, or the Measils, which took a∣way both his speech and breath at once. The Father unable to endure the sight of his dying Son, went aside into a By-Room, and flinging himself on the bed expostulates with Philip in this manner, Is it possible, Blessed Father, that I should lay my Son my only Son in the Chappell, which I have but lately built to thy ho∣nour?

Scarce had he spoken these words, but the Child called his Father three or four times, as Chil∣dren use to do; at which, the Countess of Pitilian, the Childs Sister, comes and acquaints her Father, how her Brother called him. He running present∣ly to him, the Child cried Babba I am well, for my Grandfather hath made me well (so he used to term Philip, because the people of the house, shewing him Philips Picture, would say This is your Grand∣father.) They ask him, who, his Grandmother? the Child cryes out aloud; No, not my Grandmother, but my Grandfather. And shewing him his Picture, This said he, this man made me well. They asked him how? the Child putting his right hand on his head, sig∣nified that Philip cured him by the touch of his hand Afterward falling to suck, and so into a pleasant sleep, there came out of his ears such a deall of corrupt matter, that they perceived an impostume was broak in his head: and the purulency of the disease purging for divers dayes together, at last the Child recovered beyond all expectation.

Nerus, upon the receit of so eminent a mercy, fi∣nished his Chappell: into which, thus every way compleated the Venerable Corps was conveyed with great solemnity and devotion, out of the forenam∣ed Chappell, on the twenty fourth of May in the year One thousand six hundred▪ and two being full seven years after Philips death. There were present at this Holy Translation, though privately, some Car∣dinalls, divers Prelates, with all the Priests, & Bre∣thren of the Oratory. The next Morning Cardinall Taurusius said the first Mass there, and from thence forward was the daily Sacrifice offered here to God, with great resort of the Faithfull thereunto.