Right then she counseled that such an unheard-of miracle should not be disguised or hidden any further. Rather, she wisely advised it should be displayed for all to see with their own eyes. All ran eagerly to see this sight.^a They were able to verify for themselves that God had not done thus for any other nation and stood in awe.

Here I will put down my pen rather than stammer over something I cannot explain. Giovanni Frigia Pennate,^b who was then a boy, and afterwards a Roman proconsul and count of the Sacred Palace, freely swears and declares, against all doubts, that at that time he was with his mother, and that he saw with his own eyes and touched it with his hands. The lady pilgrim may now return to her homeland,^c comforted by this privilege of grace. Let us now turn to events after the saint's death.

Chapter VII
THE DEAD RAISED THROUGH THE MERITS
OF BLESSED FRANCIS ^d

⁴⁰I turn now to those who were raised from the dead through the merits of the confessor of Christ. I ask the attention of listeners and readers alike. For the sake of brevity I will omit many of the circumstances, and will keep silent about the account of the amazed witnesses, recounting only the extraordinary events themselves.

There was a woman, noble by birth and nobler in virtue, in Monte Marano near Benevento. She clung to Saint Francis with special devotion and offered him her reverent service. She took sick and her end seemed near: she was going the way of all flesh. She died at sundown, but burial was delayed to the following day to allow her many dear ones to gather. The clergy came at night with their psalters to sing the wake and vigils. There was a gathering of many of both sexes for prayer. Suddenly, in the sight of all, the woman sat up in bed and

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