In obedience to the orders of the Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition,
which God preserve in all its strength, dated the ninth of this month, I
have made the following investigation. I summoned before me Joseph
Masvidal of this village, and made him swear not to divulge to any one
the questions I asked him, and also to declare to me the truth. I
demanded who informed him that Antonio Axis could cure his disorder. He
answered, Felipe Cadena of this place, and Pablo Marine of the Llano de
Barcelona. Felipe Cadena stated that the said Antonio had cured him by
cutting off the crest of a black cock, taking from it three drops of
blood, mixing it with water and making him drink it, adding that if a
priest were in the house, it would be necessary to go out of doors to
practise the operation.
I demanded what medicines the said Antonio prescribed him. He replied
that the first was a white onion and five plantain leaves. These were
cut up and placed upon his stomach, which relieved his pain, a symptom
which the wife of Antonio pronounced good. The cure, however, not being
effected, he was ordered to procure a partridge, twentyfive needles, and
a new pot, all of them to be bought and carried home with the left hand.
The needles were to be stuck into the partridge with great fury, and the
whole put into the pot. Then at midnight the sick man was to set it on
the fire with the left hand, and with the left hand keep stirring the
fire till two o’clock in the morning. He informed him that during this,
the tables and plates would put themselves in motion, but that he must
not be frightened, as he should be present himself. All these directions
were followed, and there were also present at the time, Francisco
Vintro, and Francisco Siralt, his brothers-in-law, to keep him in
courage during the operation. At two o’clock he took it off the fire,
but found himself no better. Antonio’s wife, Josefa, directed broth to
be made for him, he being as thin and spare as if he had suffered a long
illness. This was done the next morning, when he found himself
exceedingly weak and fatigued. A similar case occurred, as he believes,
to a tavern keeper in Barcelona, which is known to the Reverend Father
F. Juan Mesados.
His health not improving for the space of three months, he saw Axis
again, who made signs of the cross upon the parts of his body where he
felt pain, but this had no more effect than the preceding experiments.
Axis then told him that he was possessed by five companies and five
captains of evil spirits, that the companies amounted to five hundred in
number, and might be easily cast out, but the five captains were not so
easily got rid of. He proceeded to exorcise them, and Masvidal fell to
screaming and behaving like one possessed. The _little ones_, as he
called them, being despatched, he went to work upon the captains, and
the first night, after supper, about nine o’clock, he began to make
signs of the cross, and talk in unintelligible language. He then gave
two loud screams, so horrible as to frighten every one; and Axis
affirmed that they were heard in the farthest regions of the air by the
other spirits. On this occasion, the two brothers-in-law,
beforementioned, were present.
Axis declared that the spirits were not despatched, and he exacted a
promise from them by the mouth of the patient, that they would depart at
nine o’clock the next morning; but continuing to remain at that time,
they promised anew in the same manner, to depart at nine that night. The
patient sent for Juan Munseis, Juan Baxo, and Antonio Torras, all
inhabitants of the place. At nine o’clock, the performances before
described, were repeated, the patient suffering greatly, crying out and
talking, as people do when bewitched. This was repeated morning and
night, for five or six days.
All this producing no effect, they advised him to confess the whole to
the abovementioned Reverend Father, F. Juan Mesados Servita. This was
agreed to, and Axis, the patient, Munseis, Torras, and Baxo, went to his
cell. The Reverend Father repeated some exorcisms, and Axis repeated his
crossings and supplications. He afterwards declared he had seen the
spirits, and described their shapes.
My informant also stated that Axis possessed the power to restrain the
tempests, for as they were returning in company from St Cypria, a storm
overtook them, and he was in great terror. Axis told him that a shower
of stones was falling at San Cucufase del Valles, but that he need not
fear, as he would shelter them from it, by means of a prayer that he
knew. And so it happened, for the shower fell as they learned
afterwards, but did not touch them, although they were forced to travel
quite to the seashore. Furthermore, Axis declared to him that he had
been in hell, and described to him the condition of the damned. One
night some evil spirits appeared to him, and offered him money if he
would give himself up to them, but he would not consent.
I likewise summoned to appear before me, Isidro Lepu of this place, and
obliged him to swear to declare the whole truth, and preserve secrecy. I
demanded whether he knew Antonio Axis, and his wife, Josefa Axis. He
answered that he did, inasmuch as they lived in the same house with him,
although in a different part. I asked him if he knew whether the said
Axis performed cures. He replied that he knew of his performing some,
and that Axis asked him to go in company with him one night, adding that
they would hear a loud noise, but he must not be frightened being in his
company, as they would be out of danger; that they must go at midnight,
and without any clothes. This proposal was rejected. Axis replied to
him, that he had no way to get a living, but my informant persisted in
his refusal.
The above are the literal declarations which I have taken under oath
from the person named. I have, moreover, strong suspicions that Axis and
his wife neglect mass on many occasions. Axis himself during his
residence this year in my parish, has not confessed, nor taken the
Pascal communion, although this has been done in the house where he
lives, and I have entreated him and his wife to comply with the
observance. Besides what is related above, he has attempted many other
superstitious cures upon people belonging to Barcelona and strangers;
all which I certify to be the exact truth.
DR FRANCISCO GUIU, _Parochial Curate_.
St Martin de Provensals, October second, 1803.
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