Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 93

But neither let me be silent about that which heavenly goodness manifested in this city also two years ago, unto the condemnation of the same Arian heresy. Of the things which I relate, the people came to know some, while the priest and the guardians of the church testify that they heard and saw others. A church of the Arians in the district of this city which is called Subura, when it had remained closed until two years ago, it was decided that it ought to be dedicated in the catholic faith, the relics of the blessed martyrs Sebastian and Agatha being brought in there; and this was done. For when we came with a great multitude of the people, and singing praises to the almighty Lord, entered that same church,

and when the solemnities of the Mass were already being celebrated there, and on account of the narrowness of that place the crowd of the people was pressing itself together, certain of those who stood outside the sanctuary suddenly felt a pig running here and there among their feet. When each one felt it and pointed it out to those standing near him, the same pig made for the doors of the church, and moved to astonishment all through whom it passed; but it could be seen by no one, although it had been able to be felt. This the divine goodness showed for this reason, that it might be made plain to all that an unclean inhabitant was going out from that same place. And so, the celebration of the Mass being finished, we withdrew;

but that same night a great noise was made in the roofs of that same church, as if someone were running about in them, wandering. On the following night a graver sound arose, when it resounded with such great terror as if that whole church had been overthrown from its foundations; and forthwith it withdrew, and no further disturbance of the ancient enemy appeared there; but through the sound of terror which it made, it made known from what place, which it had long held, it was going out under compulsion. But after a few days, in great serenity of the air, a cloud descended from heaven over the altar of that same church, and covered it with its own veil, and filled the whole church with such great awe and sweetness of odor, that though the doors stood open, no one presumed to enter there.

The priest also, and the guardians, or those who had come to celebrate the solemnities of the Mass, saw the thing, were by no means able to enter, and drew in the sweetness of the wondrous odor. But on another day, when the lamps hung there without light, by light sent forth from above they were kindled. Again after a few days, when, the solemnities of the Mass being completed, the guardian had gone out from that same church with the lamps extinguished, after a little while he entered, and found the lamps which he had extinguished shining. Believing that he had carelessly extinguished them, he now more carefully extinguished them, and going out, more carefully closed the church.

But after the space of three hours, returning, he found the lamps which he had extinguished shining, so that plainly from that very light it might become clear that that place had come from darkness to light. PETER: Though we are set in great tribulations, yet because we are not altogether despised by our Maker, these stupendous miracles of His which I hear bear witness thereto. GREGORY: Although I had determined to relate only the things that were done in Italy, do you nonetheless wish that, for the showing forth of the condemnation of that same Arian heresy, we should pass in speech to the Spains, and thence through Africa return to Italy? PETER: Go wherever you please; for gladly am I led, gladly led back.