Book Two - Chapter 4

Of the Oratory of the Blessed Mary.

IN the east part of the same church is an oratory and it is an altar hallowed to the honour of the most blessed and perpetual Virgin Mary. Now, there was in the congregation of the brethren one Hubert by name, of distinguished birth, versed in liberal knowledge, of advanced years and of wonderful gentleness, who in his old age had left all for Christ and, escaping naked from the wreckage of this world, had assumed the habit of holy religion, which by his pious character he adorned conspicuously.

Being admitted to that order of brethren, he had directed all his zeal to loving God, and assiduously spent his time in prayer and reading, and excelled in justice and truth many to whom he was inferior in rank.
This man used often to prostrate himself in the said oratory before the holy altar, and to offer himself a living sacrifice for a sweet savour to God and His most sweet Mother. As he once prayed in this place there appeared to him the Mother of Mercy and with honeyed lips she spake as follows:

"The canons of this church" (said she) "thy brethren, my loved ones, used formerly in this place -- hallowed to my name -- to pay me the service of a Mass and rendered the devoted obedience of pious reverence. As carelessness has now crept over them, charity has cooled, so neither is the holy mystery of my Son observed here, nor are the wonted celebrations of praise offered to me by them. Wherefore from the high portal of the heavens by the consent of my Son I have hither descended to render thanks for the service of honour which has been paid, to charge and requite for neglect and to admonish my dear ones for their health. For here will I receive their prayers and vows and will grant them mercy and blessing for ever."

So spake she and vanished from his sight as he beheld her. He repeated openly what he had heard, and rendered them by such a story more ready and fervent in serving the Mother of the Lord. Oh! of what reverence is that most hallowed place worthy; with what pious and sweet affection is it to be worshipped, where the noble Queen of Heaven, the Lady of the world, the Mother and Bride of the Everlasting King deigned to show her presence and mercifully to arouse, with gentle exhortation, the slackness of her servants to a readier praise of her name.

 

The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield Rendered into Modern English from the original Latin version preserved in the British Museum, numbered Vespasian B. IX, by Mr. Humphrey H. King and Mr. William Barnard for use in the Records of St. Bartholomew's Priory by E.A. Webb.

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