Jacopo de' Benedetti da Todi [pp. 630-642]

642 JACOPO DE' BENEDETTI DA ToDI. [Aug.,
have always considered it a great thing to know how to enjoy
God. Why? Because in the time of consolation humility may
be exercised with reverence. But I have considered, and I consider it the greatest gift of all to know how to remain deprived
of God. Why? Because in the hour of trial faith is exercised
without sight, hope without expectation of a reward, and charity
without any sign of divine protection." This is perhaps the
highest state of self-abandonment to which a soul may attain.
At last, bowed down with the weight of years and spent with
the ardor of his devotion, Jacopo fell ill and prepared himself for
death. But on being pressed to receive the last sacraments he
insisted on waiting for the arrival of John of Alvernia, from
whose hand he desired to receive the Holy Viaticum. His companions represented to him that Brother John could scarcely be
informed of his condition in time, and renewed their entreaties.
But without answering Jacopo raised himself on his couch and
began to intone the hymn Ani'na bencdetta. Scarcely had he finished singing when the monks saw two frati coming across the
fields towards the monastery. One of them proved to be John
of Alvernia, whom an irresistible presentiment had drawn towards the death-bed of his friend. With great peace and joy
Jacopo then received his Lord. After a little while he began to
sing Jcsu nostro fidanza. Then he exhorted his companions to
live a holy life, raised his hands to heaven, heaved one sigh, and
died. It was Christmas eve, at midnight, and in the adjoining
church the priest was intoning the Gloria in ezcclsis.
The precise date of Jacopo's beatification is uncertain, but in
I 596 a bishop, Angelo Cesi, raised a monument to him in the
church of San Fortunato at Todi, bearing this inscription:
"The bones of Blessed Jacopo de' Benedetti da Todi, brother
minor, who, having made himself a fool for the love of Christ,
deceived the world by a new artifice and gained heaven."
Rome punished by the infliction of a temporal penalty the
error of his intemperate zeal; but, penetrating with calm, discerning eyes below the surface, she discovered the jewel hidden
among the thorns, and saw that it was good.