LIFE OF JAMES OF VIANA

Concerning James of Viana

(1)

IAMES of Viana, a man strong and wise in character, was endowed with much grace of humility, repentance and spiritual insight, so that he often sighed and wept for his daily failures, strictly examining himself thereupon. Likewise he charged against himself actions which another would praise in him, for in everything that he did he was fearful knowing that it must be weighed in the strict balance of the Judge on High, Who shall judge not open negligence only, but also the secret stains of the conscience. Far from his heart were proud thoughts of himself and the wish to be accounted good, for he desired to be lower than all and to give way even to those beneath him as though they were his betters. Amongst the writers he was eminent being diligent in the copying of books and in his care for them.

(2) When a young man sought to be instructed by him in spiritual exercises, James in his humility immediately confessed that he was slothful and a miserable sinner who had not yet really grasped the first principles of virtue; and he began to commend certain of the younger Brethren, saying that they were men of fervent spirit and understanding.

Upon another time the same youth being very sad told James of the distress of his heart, and desired to hear some word of comfort from him, 233and James spake kind and comfortable words to him, exhorting him to be patient and to wait humbly for the grace of God, because the good Lord is wont to be present with them that are contrite of heart, as saith the Psalmist, “According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart Thy comforts have given joy to my soul”; and the young man being thus comforted, afterwards often remembered these words that are so sweet when any sorrow came upon him, for when the comfort of man faileth, one must flee to the Divine, and think how great Saints and the Elect also have sometimes suffered heaviness and desolation.

(3) So because James was a man of laudable life, and coveted to remain in the lowest rank and the simple condition of a Clerk, therefore by reason of his virtues and this notable gift of humility, he was promoted to the Priesthood by the good pleasure of God, and the counsel of Florentius and his Brethren. But this promotion was very grievous to him so that he wept bitterly when he knew that he must needs be ordained, for he confessed that he was too unworthy of such a rank, and he deemed that they who had given this counsel had greatly erred in that they had determined to promote an unfit person. But the more he abased himself the more pleasing was he to God and to the Brethren, and the more gladly did Florentius promote him; for at that time the Priesthood was a thing rare and precious amongst the Devout, because none dared to accept that office save one that was righteous and compelled thereto for the Common good, for all avoided higher station and chose to abide in a lower room and a lowlier office. Wherefore Florentius, himself 234a gem of the Priesthood, is reported once to have said, “If I were not a priest and had not the care of others I might be able wholly to amend myself, for higher place doth often cause disturbances of mind from which a good man that is under governance and liveth without the care of external things is the more free.”

(4) Once when he wished to meditate upon his failures, James secretly climbed up to the sollar of the House, and with heavy sighs wrote down his faults upon a Tablet so that he might not forget anything that he thought he ought to confess.

When one asked him of the manner of life of the House, he said, “If any would live with us it is needful that he abase himself and make himself less than all. Such an one hath here a Paradise and is abundantly content.” Florentius used sometimes to reprove him and recall him from the unmeasured heaviness of his compunction, lest by too great severity he should exceed the bounds of prudence, and he bore the reproof patiently, greatly humbling himself for that he had gone forward somewhat imprudently. The fervency of his spirit surpassed the strength of his body, but his good intention was his excuse, for the end thereof was to seek after God. After this he fell into bodily sickness, and his strength failing him by little and little, he died during the lifetime of Florentius, that is, on the day following the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, to whom he was specially devoted, and in the year of the Lord 1400. He was buried with his Brethren in the cemetery of the great church that is dedicated to St. Lebuin.