Hoc fuit initium  narrative in prose

   This was the origin of and the reason for which this Order of the Holy Trinity and of Captives was instituted and founded by so great a miracle and revelation.  There was a certain good cleric at Paris, Prevostine by name, who held the chair of theology and was regarded almost as a philosopher.  Under his guidance, another master began his studies and attained a chair in theology at Paris also;  his name was John of Provence.  He was a man who feared God and served him night and day.  From early childhood, John made the firm resolve to enter an Order, but he did not know clearly which one.  Frequently he bore much ridicule from his companions because of his zeal in serving God.  Thinking how he could have peace with his companions and also serve God, John resolved to petition ordination to the priesthood; this he did so that he would have a logical reason for reciting the Canonical Hours and for praying.

    Lovingly and ceaselessly, John asked the Lord to show him which Order he should enter.  When the time came for him to celebrate his first Mass, he asked the lord bishop of Paris, the abbot of St-Victor and his teacher Prevostine to attend.  When he got to the Secret, he prayed the Lord, if God so wished, to show him which Order he should join for his salvation.  Then, when he lifted his eyes to heaven, he saw the majesty of God and God who was holding in his hands two men with chains on their legs:  one was black and deformed, the other was lean and light-skinned.  Since John delayed so long over the Sacrament, those present –namely, the bishop, the abbot and his teacher Prevostine and the others– wondered what could be happening.  Then looking up to heaven, the bishop and abbot and master Prevostine saw the same vision and glorified the Lord;  subsequently, they roused John who returned to himself and continued the celebration.  When Mass had ended, they questioned him as to what he had seen.  He declared what he had seen and praised the Lord.  Likewise, those who had also seen the vision declared that they had seen it.  The bishop of Paris and the abbot of St-Victor consulted together as to what the vision meant, then drafted this rule according to which they should live and the other matters contained in the Rule.  The bishop and the others hoped that the aforementioned rule would be confirmed by the lord pope.  Thus, the lord bishop wrote to the lord pope, saying that he could safely believe the bearer of the letter:  what he had seen was true.  The bishop gave the letter to master John of Provence.

    As quickly as he could, John began his journey and headed for Rome.  On his way, he came to a certain place called Cerfroid.  The four hermits who lived there questioned him as to where he was going and why he was headed for Rome.  John explained the reason to them.  They rejoiced at what they heard and offered themselves and all they had to God and the Order, if John should succeed in his cause of establishing the Order.  What more is there to say?  Master John arrived at the Apostolic See and had an audience with the lord pope;  showing him the letter of recommendation, John related and explained all that he had seen.  The pope was unwilling to believe him and considered him and the bishop fools for testifying to such things.  After that, John set out for Paris.  Not long afterwards, the same vision which master John had seen appeared to the lord pope as he was celebrating Mass.  Repenting the fact that he had not granted John’s petition, the pope sent messengers to call him back.  They did not find him.  Then the lord pope said:  May the Lord send him back to me!  Indeed, a little later, that holy man headed for Rome again and, in an audience with the lord pope, obtained what he wanted.  Let us give thanks to the Lord!  In the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred ninety-eight, the Order of the Holy Trinity had its beginning.