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. XVII. The Congregation of the Oratory erected at Vallicella.

BUt though Philip, thinking ever meanly of himself, never dreamt, as he said, of institu∣ting the Congregation, yet at last, his sons earnest∣ly importuning him to it, he gave way: but to the establishing such a work, they thought it most imported, to purchase a seat of their own, where they might lay the foundation of the Congregation, and execute their own laws and statutes.

As the H. Man was musing thereon, two Churches very fit for that purpose were propounded to him; S. Mary's on Monticellae, and S. Mary's in Vallicellae and being in suspence, which to make choice of (the better to understand the mind of God in a business of that concernment) he determined to refer the matter to Pope Gregory the thirteenth to be decided; who wished him to chuse the Vallicel∣lan, as being in a place of great resort, and fitter for service. He perceiving it to be Gods will, pre∣sently cast about to procure it, committing unto Taurusius the managing thereof, who obtained of the Pope not the Church alone, but what ever else the Fathers could desire. So this servant of Christ, back'd with the Authority Apostolique, instituted at Vallicella the Congregation of secular Priests, which he entitled of the Oratory; and got liberty for framing Statutes and Constitutions, but with pro∣viso, that after a certain time they should be ra∣tified by the See Apostolique.

Having possession of this Church, he appoints

over it, Germanicus Fidelius and John Antony Luccius, men of known integrity: but because it was too nar∣row and something ruinous, they thought of bring∣ing it to some better form; they were desirous in∣deed to rebuild it from the foundation; but their mony being short they waved that. When sud∣denly one day, betimes in the morning Philip by divine inspiration commands the old Church to be utterly rased, and a new one raised in the form and bigness as we see at this day.

So the old Church being levelled with the ground, as Mathew of Tifernum that famous Archi∣tect in those days, was casting with his line the breadth of the new Church, Philip, then about to say Mass at S. Hieroms, sends a messenger to bid him let all alone till he came. When Mass was over, he dispatches for Vallicella; and as they were con∣cluding on the latitude, he bids lengthen out the line further; Matthew doth so; he bids enlarge it more; he obeys him again; the B. man consider∣ing still the place was to narrow commands a third time to extend the line further yet. As soon as he came to the place that had been revealed to Philip; Here stay, faith he, here break up the earth. And as they were digging they light upon a hard wall, old and hid under rubbish, on the right side of the Chancell, some ten handfulls broad, and longer than the Church; besides a huge pile of stone and brick, enough for the foundation, and for raising the wall on the right side. So on the 19 of Septemb. 1575. the first stone consecrated with solemn rites was laid by Alex. Medices, Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal of the H. Church of Rome, who after trans∣lated to the Popedome was named Leo the XI.

As the building went up their enemies raged still

worse, hindering the workmen, slandering the so∣ciety; with cross-bows and stones pelting John Antony Luccius Overseer of the work: but alas! seven Brothers there were that opposed the business mainly, who died all within two years through the Divine vengeance.

The Church now almost finished, in the year 1577. the third of February, on which day fel Sep∣tuagesima Sunday, the same Alexander Medices sang Mass publikely, and the Fathers performed divine duties there, and to enhance their begin∣nings with the greater devotion, the Pope granted a plenary indulgence to those who confessing their sins, and receiving the H. Eucharist were present at Mass, or visited the Church at all that day. And the same year in April quitting the Church of the Florentines, they removed their usuall sermons to Vallicella; Philip still tarrying at S. Hieroms.

But because the house was not big enough, the Fathers advised about buying a Monastery that joy∣ned to the Church; for that the Nuns of the place, by command of their Superiors, were to remove to another Monastery of the Recluses: Philip looking farther then the rest, no way liked their counsell of buying it. Yet some of them attempted it on grounds of naturall prudence, but the business not succeeding, saith Philip, Did not I often tell you, this Monastery was not for our turns? ye shall indeed obtain a Monastery, but another way than ye dream of. He said true; for five moneths after Peter Donatus Cae∣sius Cardinal, out of his great munificence bought that and other adjoyning houses which he frankly bestowed on the Fathers to dwell in.

The wonderfull confidence in God which Philip had for his atchieving this enterprise, may be con∣cluded

from hence, that when there was no stock he adventured on so costly a structure, and com∣pleated it in two years: oft saying when his money was spent, God will supply us; and coming some∣times to a prime Lady in Rome he would tell her, Madam, you must know the B. Virgin and my self have made a bargain, that I shall not dye till the Church be covered. Many therefore imagined that, seeing he never craved of any, and yet day∣ly disbursed such a deal of Money, either God furnished him, or miraculously increased his store.

The first monies laid out in beginning the work were 200 crowns, given by the bounty of S. Carlo Borromeo; whereto Gregory the XIII. added 8000. and above, for the building and beautifying the forepart of the Church; besides 4000. for erecting a Chappell in memory of the Presentation of our Lady: likewise Cardinal Frederic Borromeo gave 4000. and the rest, amounting to above a hundred thousand crowns, God other wayes provided.

And to shew that he never asked any ones bene∣volence, it is not amiss to adde this which followes. One of the Congregation, who had to do with the building, on a time told him, Father, the mony is spent, and yet the walls reach not to the roof: Doubt not, saith he, God will never be wanting to his Children. He replies; There is a rich man in the City that useth to distribute a large part of his revenues to pious uses, if he were acquainted with our wants, he would happily help us with a good summ; at which Philip; The man knows in what need the building is, if he be minded he may freely contribute, for hitherto I have asked none, and yet have found no lack of any thing: and so it fell out, that within a few moneths a noted Lawer dying

bequeathed to the Congregation 4000 crowns, and more; and soon after another Lawyer died, and left 8000 by Will.