-124-

MAY

 22, 337 --Italy. Constantine, Emperor of Rome, dies having been baptized just days ago. At that time, he promised to live a worthy disciple of Jesus. He has refused to wear the Imperial mantle ever since, and has retained his white baptismal robe. According to Philip Schaff, the Emperor dies trusting in the mercy of God.
     However, he has brought the sword into the church to punish heretics and to support religious ministers. On account of this marriage of Church and State, Death, Imprisonments, Deceit and Torture will follow. Many good men will be ensnared in the persecution of Christian brethren of diverse opinions.

22, 1377 --Italy. Pope Gregory XI issues a bull against John Wycliffe, but King Richard II has been influenced by Lancaster, the Protector of the Reformer, and together with Parliament’s recent clashes with the Roman Curia, the Bull will not become public until December 18th.

22, 1498 --Italy. Jerome Savonarola quietly receives his sentence of death. His crime is that of preaching the Word of God.

22, 1525 --Germany. The guilds have aroused the passions of the populace over the economical competition of the monastery at Niesing. Today the monastery is unsuccessfully attacked, but the guilds succeed in their demands calling for the abolition of this lucrative competition.

23, 1498 --Italy. Francesco da Puglia, a Franciscan monk has issued a challenge to Savonarola calling for an ordeal of fire to test the prophet’s claim. Savonarola has hesitated declaring he does not depend upon a miracle to attest his character but the test is known by his righteous life.
     Public demand causes him to accept the challenge, however. Fra Domenico, his intimate friend, offers himself for the ordeal, as do many others. The place is fixed in the public square, and two pyres are built seventy feet long with flammable material. The Franciscans and Dominicans march through the streets of Florence to the spot. The time is set for eleven o’clock, but a delay occurs when it was objected to Domenico going through the fire wearing his priestly garments on suspicion they have been bewitched. At last the Dominicans yield but a second objection is made that Domenico should not be allowed to carry a crucifix or the Host with him. During the delay, rain falls and the day is drawing to a close, and the Franciscan challenger does not appear. The ordeal is declared abrogated, and the mob now considering Savonarola a coward or an impostor becomes angry. The people of Florence who have till now been unwilling to turn the man of God over to the Pope are now mad with anger. Savonarola and his friends return to the Church of St. Mark and barricade their position.
     The following day the Church was assaulted, and the monks still loyal resisted even using firearms. Savonarola might have escaped, but he remained, holding his place, and preaching to the faithful few who stood by him.
     Finally the walls were stormed, and police, soldiers, and the general public overran the monastery. Savonarola remained passive and even reproved several monks who offered stout resistance.
     The warrants for arrest called only for Fra Girolamo, Fra Domenico, and Fra Silvestro. The prisoners were bound and hurried through the streets toward the Piazzo Signoria. They were lodged in separate cells and each was importuned to recant the charges made against the Pope and the wealthy family of the Medicis.
     All refused recantations even when they were told the others had recanted. Savonarola’s judges were chosen from among his bitter foes. He was brought before them and ordered to recant, but he remained silent. When he was threatened, he answered in a parable. He was then taken to the torture cell, stripped of all clothing, and a thin rope was tied about his body under his arms. Suddenly they drew him up and dropped him. The procedure was repeated until the cord cut deeply into his body and his form was covered with his blood.
    The physically sensitive man of God gave way and recanted under the agony, but being returned to his cell, he repeated all he had said before. Then calling aloud he cried, “Lord Jesus, pardon me that I forsook Thy truth—it was the torture—I now repeat all I ever said from Thy pulpit—Lord Jesus, pardon!”
    He was again taken to the torture chamber and all was gone over as before. He was now condemned to death along with his two companions, and the day of their execution was set. Savonarola raised his hands in blessing both to friend and foe.
    This morning, the three friends meet and pray. The Piazzo Signoria is filled with a vast concourse of people. Platforms have been erected and seats sold for fabulous prices. Every window is filled with faces. An elevated walk has been constructed out of the second story of the prison to the executioner’s platform. From the high scaffold a giant cross rises with ropes and chains dangling from the arms. Below faggots are piled to a “prodigious height” and saturated with oil.
     A wild exultant yell rises from some of their enemies as they appear. Others are dazed at their success. The prisoners walk firmly and converse in undertones encouraging each other to remain firm. Each holds a crucifix and presses it to his lips as he repeats the Creed. Their priestly robes are then stripped from them and they stand clad only in scant underclothes. The mob begins to mock.
     Sharp sticks have been thrust between the crevices of the boardwalk to mutilate their feet. Once again their priestly robes are thrown over them and again they are torn from them in ceremonial fashion.
The bishop of Vasona pronounces the sentence upon Savonarola and declares, “I separate you from the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant.” But the man of God responds, “Not from the Church Triumphant! You cannot do that!”
     To prolong the torture of Savonarola, his two companions are first hanged before his very eyes. Now, it is his turn and the faithful preacher steps lightly between the dead, swinging bodies of his friends.
     The executioner tightens the cord around the neck of the preacher who tenderly raises his eyes toward Heaven while his lips move in prayer. Below, the waiting torches are applied to the oily faggots and the flames shoot Heavenward licking the cross where the three bodies sway. A sudden gust of wind parts the smoke and the flames to reveal the flames have burned the thongs that bound the arms of Savonarola: his hand is lifted in blessing and benediction. The mob grows deathly silent.
     Thus does Savonarola triumph and the grace of God revealed to him of the salvation of his soul translates him from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant.
 

Previous   Next