Himmlische Offenbarungen

exercises. And while she was occupied with such things and again had a similar vision, she once more, with the advice of the said doctor, increased her prayers and other good works. Then she saw for the third time likewise a cloud, and in the cloud the form of Christ the Son of God, and heard a voice: "Woman, hear me, I am your God, who wishes to speak with you, do not fear. I am the Creator of all things, not a deceiver. I do not speak with you for your sake alone, but for the sake of the salvation of others."

But as such revelations became numerous, she was not satisfied with that, but had the revelations presented to many other spiritual men, well-experienced in all knowledge, especially the great prelates of the Church, according to the command of the Lord original: "Deut 17.", where He commands that judgments which are doubtful should be brought before the priests. Therefore, she humbly and respectfully revealed them to the Lord Archbishop of Uppsala, and to three other bishops, and to a God-fearing abbot who were then in Rome, and to the Lord Alfonso, formerly Bishop of Jaén. After they had taken timely counsel and spoken with one another, they unanimously concluded that they came not from the Spirit of the Deceiver, but from the Holy Spirit. That same conclusion was reached and judged by many other excellent men after they had diligently overseen these revelations, as can be gathered from many places in which her history and life are described, which I have intentionally omitted for the sake of brevity.

Finally, after her departure her death, her revelations were submitted a second time for confirmation, and were approved and sanctioned by wise men as well as by the judgment of the Supreme Bishops. Here it is to be noted that after the death of Blessed Birgitta in the year of the Lord 1373 Note: The text says 1377, but the historical date is 1373, the heavenly revelations which she received from God were written together in many books, so that they might be more easily seen and examined by many. They were presented and handed over to the Most Holy Father, Lord Gregory XI, through the hands of venerable persons: Lady Catherine, a daughter of Blessed Birgitta; Brother Peter, Prior of Alvastra; and Lord Peter Olavi, the aforementioned Lady Birgitta's confessor. The Supreme Bishop, without delay, gave and commanded them to be examined by the most prudent and wise men, Lords Cardinals and Doctors of Holy Scripture, as they follow here one after another: namely, Cardinal Montis Majoris, Cardinal de Agrifolio, and Cardinal de Luna. Likewise, Master Martin de Salva, Doctor of Both Laws Civil and Canon Law, and the Archbishop of Pamplona, his referendary. Likewise, Master Joannes de Hispania, Doctor of Holy Scripture, who before

the aforementioned Pope Gregory, in a common assembly of the Church councils, in the presence of the Cardinals and the whole clergy at the Roman Court, gave the first speech regarding the canonization of Blessed Birgitta. Likewise, the Venerable Father Lord Alfonso, formerly Bishop of Jaén. When these revelations were inspected and gone through several times with all diligence, and understood with attention, nothing was found in them that was reprehensible or suspicious, or discordant with or contrary to our true faith. Instead, everything contained therein was distinguished by all truth, and excellent in holiness, full, entirely clear, and perfect.

However, although the process of the canonization of the aforementioned Lady Birgitta had indeed begun under the said Pope Gregory, he was overtaken by death and could not bring it to a proper conclusion. Because, by law, many things are required for such a complete fulfillment which need no little time, the entire matter of the canonization was transferred to Urban VI, Gregory's next successor, in the year of the Lord 1379, so that it might be started anew, as it were, and consequently a new examination of the previously mentioned revelations would be conducted. This was not because that which had been started or undertaken and handled by Gregory was vain or invalid or not credible, but because the nature of the process or the mandatory pursuit of canonization—for the sake of the commissioners whose duty and propriety it was to have perfect knowledge from the beginning of the history and life of the aforementioned Lady Birgitta—orderly required that it be done so.

And therefore, the revelations were delivered a second time into the hands of Urban through the aforementioned venerable persons: Lady Catherine, Brother Peter, Prior of Alvastra, Brother N. Andreæ, and Magnus, powerful men, the great lights of the world, his Lords Cardinals, and Doctors of Holy Scripture, as they are inscribed here one after another: the Cardinal of Corsi, the Cardinal of England, the Cardinal de Orsini (a brother of Lord Latinus, a Roman nobleman), the Cardinal of Genoa, and the Cardinal of Manupello. Likewise, the Bishop of Orvieto, Doctor of Holy Scripture, who gave the second speech on the canonization of the Blessed Lady Birgitta in the presence of Pope Urban in a public assembly of the Church councils. Likewise, Master Johannes of Lignano, an excellent Doctor of Both Laws. Likewise, Master Johannes of Basel, Doctor of Holy Scripture. Likewise, Lord Alfonso, formerly Bishop of Jaén, who wrote the epistle over the Book to the Kings. Likewise, Master Augustin of Rome, of the Order of Saint Augustine, Doctor in Holy Scripture. Likewise, Master Matthæus of...