Jesus Christ

contra tot inpetus uastitatis et mortis inconcussis animi uirtutibus congredi quanta pectoris magnitudo est, quanta sublimitas in ruinis humani generis stare rectum nec cum eis quibus spes in Deum nulla est iacere prostratum et gratulari magis et temporis munus amplecti, quod dum nostram fidem firmiter promimus et labore tolerato ad ‖306‖ Christum per angustam Christi uiam pergimus, praemium uiae eius et fidei ipso iudicante capiamus.

What greatness of heart it takes to meet so many attacks of ruin and death with a mind that does not waver! What nobility, to stand upright among the ruins of the human race, instead of lying flat on the ground beside those for whom there is no hope in God! Rather, we should rejoice and welcome the gift this time brings. The gift is this: by firmly showing our faith, bearing our hardships, and pressing on to Christ along Christ's narrow way, we may win the reward of his way and of our faith, with Christ himself as our judge.

mori timeat qui non Christi cruce et passione censetur.

Let him fear to die who has not been counted as Christ's through his cross and suffering.

mortalitas ista Iudaeis et gentibus et Christi hostibus pestis est, Dei seruis salutaris excessus est.

This mortality is a plague to the Jews and the pagans and the enemies of Christ; to the servants of God it is a departure that brings salvation.

Omnes supervenientes hospites tamquam Christus suscipiantur, quia ipse dicturus est: ‘Hospis fui, et suscepistis me’; et omnibus congruus honor exhibeatur, maxime domesticis fidei et peregrinis. Ut ergo nuntiatus fuerit hospis, occurratur ei a priore vel a fratribus cum omni officio caritatis; et primitus orent pariter et sic sibi socientur in pace.

All guests who arrive should be received as Christ, for he will say, “I was a guest, and you took me in.” Show fitting honor to all of them, most of all to fellow believers and to pilgrims. So when a guest is announced, the prior or the brothers should go out to meet him with every loving service. First they should pray together, and in this way be joined in peace.

Quod pacis osculum non prius offeratur nisi oratione praemissa propter inlusiones diabolicas. In ipsa autem salutatione omnis exhibeatur humilitas omnibus venientibus sive discedentibus hospitibus: inclinato capite vel prostrato omni corpore in terra Christus in eis adoretur qui et suscipitur.

The kiss of peace should not be given until they have prayed first, because of the tricks of the devil. In the greeting itself, show every kind of humility to all guests, whether they are coming or going. With head bowed, or with the whole body stretched out on the ground, worship Christ in them, for it is he who is received.

Pauperum et peregrinorum maxime susceptioni cura sollicite exhibeatur, quia in ipsis magis Christus suscipitur; Nam divitum terror ipse sibi exigit honorem.

Take the greatest care in receiving the poor and pilgrims, because in them Christ is received all the more. As for the rich, the awe they inspire wins them honor all by itself.

Tanta enim fuit in Domo-Dei Parisius mortalitas, ut per magnum tempus, ultra quingenti mortui omni die ad coemeterium sancti Innocentii Parisius ad sepeliendum in curribus portabantur. Et istae sanctae sorores Domus-Dei, mori non timentes, dulcissime et humillime omni honore postposito pertractabant; quarum multiplex numerus dictarum sororum, saepius renovatus per mortem, in pace cum Christo, ut pie creditur, requiescit.

At the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris the mortality was so great that for a long time more than five hundred dead were carried in carts every day to the cemetery of the Holy Innocents in Paris for burial. The holy sisters of the Hôtel-Dieu were not afraid to die. They cared for the sick most tenderly and humbly, setting all pride aside. Many of these sisters died and were replaced again and again. They rest in peace with Christ, as we devoutly believe.

Weiter sagten die vorgenante beyde, so mich gefangen hatten: Ietzt werden die frawen dich aufführen, Aprasse. Das wort verstund ich da nicht, es heysset aber tantzen, also zohen sie mich wider mit den stricken, so ich umb den hals hatte, Auß der hütten auff den platz. Es kamen alle weiber, so in den sieben hütten waren, und griffen mich an, und daz manns volck gieng darvon. Da leyteten mich die weiber, etliche bey den armen, etliche bey den stricken, so ich umb den hals hatte, so hart das ich kaum den athem konte holen. Also zohen sie mit mir hin, ich wuste nicht was sie mit mir in dem sinne hatten, mit dem wurd ich ingedenck, des leidens unsers Erlösers Jesu Christi, wie der von den schnöden Juden unschuldig leyd, Dardurch tröstete ich mich und war desto gedültiger.

The two who had captured me went on: "Now the women will lead you out to aprasse." I did not understand the word then, but it means dancing. Then they dragged me out of the hut again by the ropes around my neck, onto the open ground. All the women of the seven huts came and took hold of me, and the men went away. The women led me off, some by the arms and some by the ropes around my neck, pulling so hard that I could barely breathe. So they took me along, and I did not know what they meant to do with me. Then I remembered the suffering of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, how he suffered innocently at the hands of the vile Jews. That comforted me, and I was all the more patient.