FR. JOSEPH ABELLA, _Carmelite Calzado, Notary_.
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In the suburb of Barceloneta, on the thirtieth day of October, one
thousand eight hundred and six, before the Rev. Juan Pedrals, Presbyter
and Commissary, and me Ignacio Ribes, Presbyter Notary, sworn to
preserve secrecy, and perform faithfully our duties, appeared, according
to summons, and made oath to declare the truth and preserve secrecy,
Manuel Baxo, a native of the town of Blancas, in the bishopric of
Gerona, aged sixtyfour years, and dwelling in Barceloneta, in the Calle
del Sementerio.
Questioned, why he had demanded audience.
Answered, to give the following information to the Holy Office. Within
about three years he had observed that his wife, named Cecilia Pruna,
and vulgarly la Cileta, had, on many occasions, in his house, performed
such practices as these. About ten or twelve o’clock at night, she took
a sheep’s liver and put it in an earthen pot with a small quantity of
water. This she boiled over the fire and kept piercing it with a nail
set in the end of a stick, which he observing, she hid the stick and
made use of a knife for this purpose. She practised divinations with
cards to ascertain whether any person would be rich or poor, married or
single, or whether any one arriving from America brought money or not.
There was a ship which ran out to sea in the night, with the Collector
of the Customs and some of his officers on board, and while the whole
city was in suspense as to their fate, not knowing whither the ship had
gone, she informed the second officer of the marine that he might be
under no apprehensions, for they had arrived at Naples, without any
injury, which in fact turned out to be the case. Furthermore, she used
to gather dead men’s bones out of the graveyard, and burn them to
powder, but what she did with this powder he did not know. She also made
use of certain grains which she obtained at the Convent of Jesus, and
observed that in order to be efficacious they should be gathered at the
time when our Lord was in his tomb, and not suffered to touch the
ground. These practices his wife had learned from a sailor of St Felio
Guixots, named Pedro Torrent, according to what she had stated to a
woman residing in the house. The deponent had made many exertions to
persuade his wife to comply with the precept of the church, and attend
mass, but she refused.
Questioned, what persons were present when these superstitious and
necromantic deeds were done, what persons took part in them, what
instruments were used, what words spoken, what ceremonies performed,
and whether the whole was done seriously or in a jesting manner; whether
she was rebuked by any one, and by whom; whether, after being rebuked,
she continued the practices, and whether she was in her right mind.
Answered, that various persons were present on the above occasion, but
their names and residences were unknown to him. Many persons likewise
unknown had participated in the operations. As to the instruments used,
they had been already described, as well as the manner and ceremonies;
that it was not done in jest, and she was in her right mind; and
finally, that he had often reproved her without effect.
Questioned, what was the age, personal appearance, and residence of the
person in question.
Answered, that she was about sixty years of age, tall, of a swarthy
complexion, and lived in his house.
Questioned, if he knew that any other person had said or done aught
contrary to our Holy Catholic Faith, or against the proceedings of the
Holy Office.
Answered, No.
The above being read to the deponent, he declared it to be correctly
recorded, and that he had nothing to add or alter in relation to it;
that it was the truth, and not uttered by him out of malice or ill will
against his wife, but solely in obedience to his conscience. Secrecy was
enjoined, which he promised, and added his signature.
MANUEL BAXO.
JUAN PEDROLS, _Commissary_.