About the holy man Brother Albert of Naples, lay Friar

Brother Albert was from Naples. In his youth he entered the military and was at the war that Charles V waged in Hungary against the Grand Turk. However when he returned to Italy, touched by the Holy Spirit, he came to the Congregation of Capuchins at about the age of forty and was received into the Province of Saint Francis. There he led a very exemplary life for when he realised that he had given the flower of his youth to the world and had committed many sins he decided to do penance and give himself to God completely.

So it last for many years that he wept almost continuously. Usually he did not eat more than once a day and often fasted on bread and water. He continuously went barefoot. He wore a harsh hairshirt and always wanted old, completely patched garments. He rarely and hardly ever spoke except words that were truly necessary. After Matins he rarely went to rest but continued in prayer until Prime and merited many consolations from God.

Because he was so exemplary the Superiors kept him with the Novices continuously. Because of this it happened that he was almost always like a Novice. When he spoke, he spoke with such a soft voice they he could hardly be heard. He had a great temptation form the enemy and one time when he was porter in the friary at Montemalbi near Perugia, someone knocked quickly on the door at the fourth hour of the night. When Brother Albert went to the door he found the devil in the form of a woman. When he saw him he made the sign of the Cross and quickly locked the door and fled. The demon disappeared with many cries.

He also had a beautiful vision. Father Baptist of Norsia had died at the time. This holy man was lifted up in ecstasy and saw Our Lord in judgement and Brother Baptist was kneeling before him and with certain other Friars of another Congregation. He clearly saw the Lord turn towards Brother Baptist and say to him, “You have been a little negligent at the Office. However I forgive you and receive you into my glory. I bless you for your faithful service in which you have served me for so many years.” Then turning to the other Religious He strongly reprimanded them for a long time while kept them and sent them to purgatory.

Once he saw a great multitude of demons leave a city because of the preaching of a Capuchin preacher. He asked Him, “My Lord, what is the meaning of this multitude of demons?” He was answered, “Know that these are the fruits of that preacher. His preaching has been so acceptable that many have been brought back to conversion. They had been possessed by the demons that you saw.”

And I heard all this things from his own mouth.

This servant of God had great compassion for the sick. Once he was serving a sick Friar. When he had nothing to give him he went into the woods and laid two snares. Every time he went there he found two thrushes snared. This was amazing because it wasn’t the season for thrushes. There were none to be seen in the whole region. When he brought them he showed them to the friars with great joy, and laughing a little, without saying a word, he prepared them for the sick Friar. So this was considered to be a miracle of God because of the great charity that his servant Brother Albert had.

Because he joined when he was old he was unable to endure in that austere life very much. After about twenty years he had so aged that he could not do so any longer. While the friary of Montemalbi he fell seriously ill. After having received all the sacraments that holy soul passed away to its Creator. He was buried in that friary.

To the praise and glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.