After he left Rome what he did when he arrived at Montefeltro

101 A secluded life 102 Fruits of his apostolate 103 He performs some wonders 104 He embraces the mixed life

(101) Having left Rome after a revelation from God, as we have just described, the man of God, Fra Matteo, withdrew to Montefeltro. There he was better known and loved since that area was his home. He wanted to begin to realise his desire for the perfect observance of the Rule. Since God enlightened him, he clearly understood that nothing can turn out well unless God favours it. Nor can someone walk in the way of God without the special help of the Holy Spirit. He wanted to begin a perfect life. He pondered how in the beginning the holy Founders of religious Orders laid the very best foundations by despising themselves. Then with holy contemplation they first of all walked along the via purgativa and after that along the via illuminativa. He strove with all his might to put the world beneath his feet. He avoided his relatives and friends and all earthly things. He retreated to solitary places where he led an anchoritic life and gave himself completely to solitude. Since he did not have a sure abode he often withdrew to caves for shelter, or to derelict churches or to some abandoned hermitage. He fasted continuously on bread and water. Often his satisfied his hunger just with herbs alone. He spent the whole time in disciplines and the mortification of his body, laying sound foundations for himself in the cross of Christ. Just as he told those near to him many times, at that time he laid such an admirable foundation in holy contemplation that had he persevered he would have achieved the highest degree of perfection.

(102) However, His Holiness had granted him that way of life so that he could go throughout the world preaching the commandments of God and lead a pilgrim life. So after some months he set out in public through the villas and castles. He preached so fervently that he created quite a commotion throughout the area. Since he wasn’t very learned the simple people to whom he preached were rather delighted. According to the Rule he preached the Gospel of Christ, powerfully reproaching vices and sins. He attracted everyone to himself. Anyone who could hear his preaching thought himself blessed. He organised many fraternities, and contrary to the custom of those times, he encouraged people to go to Confession and Communion often. Consequently many made restitution and many great sinners returned to the Christian life. Like someone intoxicated by the love of God he exhorted everyone to convert. His familiar way of speech was far more effective than what he said while preaching. Everyone marvelled at him because when he spoke with them on that familiar level he never asked anything for himself. Nor did he ever want to eat or sleep in anyone’s house. They said to one another, “Shouldn’t this man of God eat? However, since he speaks with God, God gives him the strength to labour without food.”

(103) His excellent example meant that his hearers believed everything he said to them. The Lord God worked many miracles through him at that time, although Fra Matteo never wanted to reveal these to anyone. Even so, some of those close to him said he did these miracles. They often saw him lifted up into the air during prayer. In the beginning, Fra Francesco d’Assisi, a holy man, was the companion of Padre Fra Giovanni da Fano for many months. He used to testify to anyone who wanted to listen that when Fra Matteo was with Fra Giovanni on a journey to Venice they arrived at the River Po. Since they had no way to cross it, the man of God Fra Matteo took his mantle and threw it on the water. He had made the sign of the cross over the water and stepped on onto the mantle. Like a little boat guided by the hand of God, the mantle carried him from one side of the river to the other. Turning back to Padre Giovanni da Fano, he said to him, “Come across, Father. You come too.” Astonished, Fra Giovanni answered, “I am not a saint like you.” This was a work of God: that the Father who had once imprisoned Fra Matteo and persecuted him so harshly should see this miracle of his holiness.

(104) His abode in Montefeltro was not well known. Therefore he withdrew to that place to flee from the friars. He stayed on that mountain from the month of January until April, about three months. It would have been a good thing for him even if had he remained there for the rest of his life, dedicating himself to perfect contemplation. It was the opinion of many holy men at the time that he would have done much better there than go preaching because of the little fruit preaching usually bears. Fra Matteo was of the opposite opinion though. He said that to rest in the sweet sleep of holy contemplation feels very good, yet on the other hand it avoided being of some benefit to ones neighbour. In the itinerant life he said he exercised both states – contemplation and preaching. Not only that, he was seen to be completely detached from earthly ties. From obvious experience and a revelation from God he knew God called by him to that state. To the praise of the Lord. Amen.