PREFACE.


The pious desire of certain of our Brothers hath constrained me to put
together a short chronicle concerning the beginning of our House, and the
first foundation of our Monastery on Mount St. Agnes, that the said
chronicle may be a comfort to them that are now alive, and a memorial for
them that come after. Wherefore humbly assenting to their pious desires,
I have gathered together a few things out of many, and these I have seen
with mine own eyes, or have heard from the Elders of our House, or else
have gathered from the writings of others.

Some of the Elders who first dwelt in this House have told us that or
ever there was a monastery builded in this place, and before any man had
yet come hither to serve God, there did often appear to the shepherds and
to them that dwelt near, visions of men in white raiment who seemed to go
in procession round the mount: and the signification and meaning hereby
portended became clear enough afterward as time went by, when the
monastery by God's grace begun in this place by a few Brothers and
afterward finished with much toil came into being and a great company of
Brothers dwelt therein--for then it was seen how the Devout Congregation
of Canons Regular being clad in white raiment did serve God with
devotion, singing hymns and psalms and celebrating Mass; also reciting
the proper Canonical Hours to His praise every day, and praying for our
benefactors, both living and dead, especially for them that are buried in
this Monastery.