300 or 400 years ago, a scholar wrote a long prayer in Latin to deliver and protect from the devil and witches.
Extensive handwritten prayer in Latin, the author of the manuscript has not been identified.
Two sheets, three pages.
Basically, in Latin, some notes in Portuguese, with a drawing representing the cross: INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum).
14 cm x 20 cm.
Document found in Brazil, written in Brazil or Portugal, 16th or 17th century.
Excellent condition of conservation.
Unique piece.
Popular tradition says that Saint Anthony gave a prayer to a poor woman who was seeking help against the temptations of the devil. Sixtus V, a Franciscan pope, had the prayer – also called the “motto of Saint Anthony” – carved into the base of the obelisk he had erected in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
Here is the original prayer, in Latin Let the Lord be crucified! + Flee opposing parties! + Vicit Leo of the Judah tribe, + Radix David! Alleluia!
Here is the translation, in Portuguese Behold the cross of the Lord! + Flee enemy forces! + The Lion of Judah has conquered, + The root of David! Hallelujah! This short prayer has all the flavor of a small exorcism. It can also be used – in Latin or Portuguese – to help overcome the temptations that present themselves to us.
What is the origin of the Blessing of Saint Anthony?
According to the Convent of Saint Anthony and Aleteia, there is very little research into the origin of this blessing. And no serious recent research. To this day, the most cited is that of the Bollandists. And even then, it is based on a legend. They tell it like this:
In Portugal, during the reign of King Diniz, there was a person tormented by diabolical vexations. The enemy of our salvation always appeared to him in the form of Jesus Christ and ordered him to throw himself into the River Tagus, in order to obtain the remission of his sins and the heavenly reward. The unfortunate woman, deceived by Satan's lies, decided one day to drown herself. On the way, she found a Franciscan chapel that appeared far from the fatal project and gave her a parchment, telling her to always carry it with her. When she woke up, she found the precious sheet hanging around her neck, on which were written some lines, later called the "Brief or Letter of Saint Anthony". Immediately, the effectiveness of the heavenly remedy was felt: Satan's obsession disappeared immediately.
The king of Portugal, having learned of the miracle, wanted to see the marvelous writing and sent for it. Since he found himself deprived of his treasure, the person fell into the power of the devil. An exact copy of the Miraculous Brief was brought to him. He received it with confidence, carrying it with him day and night. At that very moment, he regained peace and was freed from such temptations. The king preserved the original among the relics of the crown. This manuscript, written in Latin and dated to the 16th or 17th century according to a French expert, is in perfect condition. It is the extended form of the original prayer, but we have not discovered who the author of this paper is. Autographed documents dealing with the subject of exorcism are very rare and the aesthetics of the writing impressed me; that is what motivated me to present this very unique piece to you. This document is currently part of the collection of Embira — Laboratório do Papel, a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental and interinstitutional research laboratory linked to the Faculty of Philosophy, Literature and Human Sciences of the University of São Paulo (FFLCH-USP), which is based on the study and characterization of paper documents. It brings together researchers from the areas of History, Literature (Philology) and Physics, developing instruments for technical and scientific analyses of paper in order to answer questions related to production, circulation, state of conservation and implications of use from different perspectives.
