PART ONE
HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS
OF SAINT FRANCIS
OF ASSISI
Chapter 1-29 (below); Chapter 30 to the end
Chapter I. In the name of Jesus Christ our crucified
Saviour, and Mary his Virgin Mother. In this book are contained certain
Little Flowers - to wit, miracles and pious examples of the glorious servant
of Christ St Francis, and of some of his holy companions; to the glory and
praise of Jesus Christ. Amen
CHAPTER I
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR CRUCIFIED
SAVIOUR, AND OF MARY HIS VIRGIN MOTHER. IN THIS BOOK ARE CONTAINED CERTAIN
LITTLE FLOWERS - TO WIT, MIRACLES AND PIOUS EXAMPLES OF THE GLORIOUS
SERVANT OF CHRIST ST FRANCIS, AND OF SOME OF HIS HOLY COMPANIONS; TO THE
GLORY AND PRAISE OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.
First let us consider how the life of the
glorious St Francis was conformed in every act with that of our Blessed
Lord. For as Christ, before he began to preach, made choice of twelve
Apostles, teaching them to despise all the things of this world, to follow
him in poverty and in the practice of all other virtues, so St Francis, on
the first founding of his Order, chose twelve companions, all lovers of
poverty. And even as one of the twelve Apostles, being reproved by Christ,
hanged himself by the neck, so among the twelve companions of St Francis was
one, called Brother John della Capella, who apostatised, and finally hanged
himself by the neck. This should be for the elect a great example and cause
of humility and fear, when they consider how no one is certain of
persevering in the grace of God to the end. As the holy Apostles, being
filled with the Spirit of God, shone forth mightily before the world in
holiness and humility, so too did the companions of St Francis; for from the
time of the Apostles till this present day the world had never seen men so
wonderful and so holy.
On of them, Brother Giles, like St Paul, was
raised to the third heaven; another, Brother Philip the Tall, like the
prophet Isaiah, was touched upon the lips with a burning coal by an angel.
Brother Silvester held converse with God, like one friend with another, as
did Moses of old. Another, the most humble Brother Bernard, through the
penetration of his intellect, reached the light of divine science, like the
eagle - the emblem of St John the Evangelist - and explained all the deepest
mysteries of Holy Scripture. One there was who was sanctified and canonised
in heaven, whilst still living on earth; this was Brother Ruffino, a
nobleman of Assisi. And thus all bore singular marks of sanctity, as we
shall see hereafter.
CHAPTER II
OF BROTHER BERNARD OF QUINTAVALLE, THE
FIRST COMPANION OF ST FRANCIS
The first companion of St Francis was Brother
Bernard of Assisi, who was converted in the following way: St Francis had
not yet taken the religious habit, though he had renounced the world, and
had so given himself to penance and mortification that many looked upon him
as one out of his mind. He was scoffed at as a madman, was rejected and
despised by his relations and by strangers, who threw stones and mud at him
when he passed; yet he went on his way, accepting these insults as patiently
as if he had been deaf and dumb. Then Bernard of Assisi, one of the richest
and most learned nobles of the city, began to consider deeply the conduct of
St Francis; how utterly he despised the world, how patiently he suffered
injuries, and how his faith remained firm, though he had been for two years
an object of contempt and rejected by all. He began to think and say within
himself, “It is evident that this brother must have received great graces
from God”; and so resolved to invite him to sup and to sleep in his house.
St Francis having accepted the invitation, Bernard, who was resolved to
contemplate the sanctity of his guest, ordered a bed to be prepared for him
in his own room, where a lamp burned all night. Now St Francis, in order to
conceal his sanctity, so soon as he entered the room, threw himself upon the
bed, pretending to fall asleep. Bernard likewise soon after went to bed, and
began to snore as if sleeping soundly. On this, St Francis, thinking that
Bernard was really fast asleep, got up and began to pray. Raising his hands
and eyes to heaven, he exclaimed with great devotion and fervour, “My God!
my God!” at the same time weeping bitterly; and thus he remained on his
knees all night, repeating with great love and fervour the words, “My God!
my God!” and none others.
And this he did because, being enlightened by
the Holy Spirit, he contemplated and admired the divine majesty of God, who
deigned to take pity on the perishing world, and to save not only the soul
of Francis, his poor little one, but those of many others also through his
means. For, being enlightened by the Holy Ghost, he foresaw the great things
which God would deign to accomplish through him and through his Order; and
considering his insufficiency and unworthiness, he prayed and called upon
the Lord, through his power and wisdom, to supply, help and accomplish that
which of himself he could not do.
Then Bernard, seeing by the light of the lamp
the devout actions of St Francis and the expression of his countenance, and
devoutly considering the words he uttered, was touched by the Holy Spirit,
and resolved to change his life. Next morning, therefore, he called St
Francis, and thus addressed him: “Brother Francis, I am disposed in heart
wholly to leave the world, and to obey thee in all things as thou shalt
command me.” At these words, St Francis rejoiced in spirit and said,
“Bernard, a resolution such as thou speakest of is so difficult and so great
an act, that we must take counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and pray to him
that he may be pleased to show us what is his will, and may teach us to
follow it. Let us then go together to the Bishop’s palace, where we shall
find a good priest who will say Mass for us. We will then remain in prayer
till the third hour, imploring the Lord to point out to us the way he wishes
us to select, and to this intent we will open the Missal three times.” And
when Bernard answered that he was well pleased with this proposal, they set
out together, heard Mass, and after they had remained in prayer till the
time fixed, the priest, at the request of St Francis, took up Missal, then,
having made the sign of the holy cross, he opened it three times, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The first place which he lit upon was at the
answer of Christ to the young man who asked of him the way to perfection:
If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell all that
thou hast and give to the poor, and come, follow me. The second time he
opened at the words which the Saviour addressed to the Apostles when he sent
them forth to preach the Word of Truth: Take
nothing with you for your journey: neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor
money; wishing to teach them thereby to commit the care of their lives
to him, and give all their thoughts to the preaching of the Holy Gospel.
When the Missal was opened a third time they came upon these words:
If any one will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Then St Francis, turning to Bernard, said:
“This is the advice that the Lord has given us; go and do as thou hast
heard; and blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ who has pointed out to thee the
way of his angelic life.” Upon this, Bernard went and sold all that he had.
Now he was very rich, and with great joy he distributed his wealth to
widows, to orphans, to prisoners, to monasteries, to hospitals, and to
pilgrims, in all which St Francis assisted him with prudence and fidelity.
Now it happened that a man of the name of
Silvester, seeing how St Francis gave so much money to the poor, being urged
on by avarice, went to him and said: “Thou didst not pay me enough for the
stones I sold thee to repair the church; now that thou hast money, pay me
what thou owest.” St Francis, much surprised at such a demand, but,
according to the precepts of the Scriptures, not wishing to dispute with
him, gave it to Silvester, saying that, if he wanted more, he would give it
to him. Silvester, being satisfied, returned home; but in the evening of the
same day he reflected on his avarice, and on the holiness and the fervour of
St Francis. That night also he saw St Francis in a vision, and it seemed to
him as if a golden cross came out of his mouth, which reached up to heaven
and extended to the extreme east and west. After this vision he gave all he
possessed to the poor, for the love of God, and made himself a Brother
Minor. He became so holy, and was favoured with such special graces, that he
spake with the Lord as a friend speaks with a friend, of which St Francis
was often a witness, as we shall see further on. Bernard likewise received
from God many graces - he was ravished in contemplation, and St Francis said
he was worthy of all reverence, and that he had founded the Order, because
he was the first who had abandoned the world, giving all he possessed to the
poor of Christ, keeping back nothing for himself; and practising evangelical
poverty, placing himself naked in the arms of the Crucified, whom may we all
bless eternally. Amen.
CHAPTER III
HOW ST FRANCIS, HAVING ALLOWED AN EVIL
THOUGHT TO ARISE IN HIS MIND AGAINST BROTHER BERNARD, ORDERED HIM TO PLACE
HIS FOOT THREE TIMES UPON HIS NECK AND HIS MOUTH.
St Francis, the devoted servant of the
crucified Jesus, through constant weeping and penance, had become nearly
blind, so that he could scarcely see. Wishing one day to speak with Brother
Bernard on things divine, he left the place where he was and went to join
him. Being told, upon arrival, that he was in the forest praying, St Francis
proceeded thither, and, calling out, said; “Come, O Brother Bernard, and
speak with this blind man.” But Brother Bernard did not make answer; for,
his soul being rapt in divine contemplation, he did not hear him call; one
of the special graces of Brother Bernard being that of holding converse with
God Almighty, of which St Francis had often been a witness. The saint,
therefore, since he wished specially to speak with him at that hour, called
him again a second time and a third. Brother Bernard, not having heard him,
neither answered nor went to him; at which St Francis went away somewhat
saddened, and wondering in himself how it was that, having called him three
times, Brother Bernard had not come to him. With this thought on his mind,
when he had proceeded a little way, he bade his companion wait for him, and
retiring to a solitary spot, fell on his knees, praying that God would
reveal to him why Brother Bernard had not answered his call. As he prayed, a
voice came from God, which said, “O poor little man, why art thou troubled?
Is it meet for man to leave God for the creature? When thou didst call
Brother Bernard he was with me, and could neither hear thee, nor go to thee;
be not then surprised if he answered thee not, for he was rapt out of
himself, nor did he hear aught of all thou saidst.” St Francis, having
received this answer from God, went back with great haste to Brother
Bernard, to accuse himself humbly of the thought he had allowed to enter his
mind against him. Brother Bernard, seeing St Francis coming towards him,
went to meet him, and threw himself at his feet. Then St Francis bade him
rise, confessing most humbly what his thoughts has been and the answer which
God had made him; and with these words he concluded: “I command thee, by
virtue of holy obedience, to do whatsoever I shall order thee.” Brother
Bernard, fearing St Francis would oblige him to inflict upon him some great
punishment, as was his custom, would most willingly have avoided obeying
him. “I am ready,” he answered, “to obey thee, father, if thou also wilt
promise me to do whatsoever I shall command thee.” To this St Francis
consented; and Brother Bernard then asked him what he wished him to do. “I
command thee,” said St Francis, “under holy obedience, in order to punish my
presumption and the evil thought of my heart, when I lie down on the ground
to place one of thy feet on my neck, and the other on my mouth. And this
shalt thou do thee! Be humbled, thou son of Peter Bernardoni, for thou art
but a vile wretch; how camest thou to be so proud, thou miserable servant of
sin!” On hearing this Brother Bernard was much grieved, but out of holy
obedience he did what St Francis had ordered him, striving withal to acquit
himself thereof as lightly as possible. Then St Francis, having promised
obedience to Brother Bernard, asked what he wished him to do, whereto the
latter answered: “I command thee, in virtue of holy obedience, that whenever
we are together thou reprove and correct with great severity all my
defects.” This order much surprised St Francis, for Brother Bernard was so
holy that he held him in great reverence, and did not believe it possible to
find in him any fault. From that time, therefore, the saint avoided being
much with Brother Bernard, fearing lest, out of holy obedience, he might be
obliged to reprove him; and when he was obliged to see or to speak with him,
he parted from him as soon as possible. Most edifying it was to hear with
what charity, what admiration and humility, St Francis, who was his
superior, spoke of Brother Bernard, who was his first son in God - to the
praise and glory of Jesus Christ and his poor servant Francis. Amen.
CHAPTER IV
HOW THE ANGEL OF GOD PUT A QUESTION TO
BROTHER ELIAS, GUARDIAN OF VAL DI SPOLETO, AND HOW, WHEN BROTHER ELIAS
ANSWERED PROUDLY, THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM, AND TOOK THE ROAD TO SAN
GIACOMO, WHERE HE MET BROTHER BERNARD AND TOLD HIM WHAT FOLLOWS
In the first beginning of the Order, when there
was as yet but few brothers and no convents established, St Francis went,
out of devotion, to San Giacomo di Galicia, taking with him Brother Bernard
and one or two other brothers. As they travelled on together, they met by
the way a poor sick man. St Francis, moved with compassion at the sight of
his sufferings, said to Brother Bernard: “My son, I will that thou stay
here, and take care of this sick man.” And Brother Bernard, meekly falling
on his knees, received the order of his revered father and remained behind,
whilst St Francis and the others proceeded to San Giacomo. On arriving
there, they spent the night in prayer in the Church of St James, and God
revealed to St Francis how he would found many convents all over the world,
and how his Order would increase and multiply into a great multitude of
brethren. After this revelation St Francis began to found convents in that
country. Then returning by the way he had come, and finding Brother Bernard
with the sick man, who had quite recovered, he allowed him to go the
following year to San Giacomo, whilst he himself returned to Val di Spoleto,
and took up his abode in a desert place with Brother Masseo, Brother Elias,
and others. All these were very careful never to interrupt St Francis in his
devotions; and this they did out of the great reverence they bore him, and
because they knew that God revealed to him great things in prayer. Now it
chanced one day, as St Francis was praying in the forest, that a handsome
young man, dressed for traveling, presented himself at the convent-gate,
knocking thereat so loudly, so quickly, and so long, that the brothers
marvelled greatly at a way of knocking so strange and unusual. Brother
Masseo, who went and opened the gate, thus addressed the young man: “Whence
comest thou, my son? for the strange manner in which thou knockest makes me
to think thou hast never been here before.” At this the young man asked:
“How then ought I to knock?” Brother Masseo answered: “Thou shouldst give
three knocks, one after the other, and then wait time enough for a brother
to say an ‘Our Father,’ and come and open to thee; should he not arrive by
that time, then thou mayest knock again.” “I was in great haste,” replied
the stranger; “for I have made a long journey, and am come to speak with St
Francis, who at this hour is praying in the forest, wherefore I would not
interrupt him. I pray thee; then, to call Brother Elias; for I wish to put a
question to him, having heard that he is full of wisdom.” Then Brother
Masseo going, called Brother Elias; but he, being angry, refused to go, so
that Brother Masseo was at a loss what answer to make the stranger. For if
he told him Brother Elias could not wait on him, he would say an untruth;
while if he told how he spoke in anger, he feared to give scandal. Whilst
Brother Masseo was hesitating how he should act, whether or no he should
return with the message, the stranger knocked again as he had knocked
before. On this Brother Masseo hastened back to the convent-gate, and said
reproachfully: “Thou hast not observed what I said to thee as to how thou
shouldst knock.” To this the young man made answer: “Since Brother Elias
will not come to me, go, tell Brother Francis that I came here to speak with
him; but, not wishing to interrupt his prayers, I beg him to order Brother
Elias to come to me.” Then Brother Masseo went to St Francis, who was
praying in the forest with his eyes lifted up to heaven, and gave him the
message of the young man, with the answer of Brother Elias. Now the young
man was the angel of God, under the form of a traveller. St Francis, without
moving and still looking up to heaven, said to Brother Masseo: “Go, tell
Brother Elias, in virtue of holy obedience, to go and speak with that young
man.” So Brother Elias, having received the order of St Francis, went to the
convent-gate in an angry mood, and opening it with violence, asked of the
young man what he wanted with Him. The latter answered: “Beware of being
angry, as thou appearest to be; for anger woundeth the soul,j preventing it
from discerning the truth.” Brother Elias said again: “Tell me what thou
wantest with me.” “I wish to know,” answered the stranger, “if it be
permitted to such as follow the Holy Gospel to eat whatever is served before
them, according to the words of Christ to his disciples; and I wish to ask
thee, likewise, if it be lawful for any man to teach a doctrine contrary to
the liberty preached in the Gospel.” On this Brother Elias answered proudly:
“I know what answer to make thee, but I am not inclined to give thee one. Be
gone about thy business.” The young man replied: “I know better than thou
dost what answer to make to these questions.” Then was Brother Elias much
troubled; and, being very angry, he slammed to the door, and went his way.
But afterwards, considering the questions which had been put to him, he
doubted within himself whether he could answer them; for being Vicar of the
Order, he had made a law which went beyond that of the Gospel, and passed
the Rule of St Francis: to wit, that none of the brethren should eat flesh;
so that the question was put expressly against himself. Not knowing in what
way to clear his doubts, and being struck by the modest appearance of the
young stranger, remembering also how he had said that he could answer the
questions better than himself, he hurried back to the convent-gate in hopes
of finding him. But he had disappeared, for the pride of Brother Elias made
him unworthy to converse with an angel. In the meantime St Francis, to whom
all had been revealed by God, returning from the forest, addressed himself
reproachfully to Brother Elias, saying: “Thou doest wrong, proud Brother
Elias; for thou hast sent away the holy angel of God, who came to instruct
us. I tell thee that I greatly fear lest thy pride will make thee end thy
days out of the Order.” And so it happened even as St Francis said, for he
died out of the Order. The same day and the same hour at which the angel had
disappeared from the convent-gate, he appeared to Brother Bernard, who was
making his way homewards from San Giacomo, along the bank of a great river.
The angel, clad in the same guise as a traveller, greeted him with the
words, “God give thee peace, good brother.” Now Brother Bernard, considering
the beauty of the young man, who with so sweet a look pronounced the
salutation of peace, according to the custom of his own country, asked of
him whence he came. “I come,” answered the angel, “from the convent where
dwells St Francis. I went thither to speak with him, but to do so I was not
able, for he was in the forest contemplating divine things, and I would not
disturb him. In the same convent were Brother Giles, and Brother Elias, with
Brother Masseo, who taught me how to knock at the convent-gate according to
the custom of the brethren. Brother Elias would not answer the questions I
put to him; but afterwards he repented, seeking to see and hear me; but it
was too late.” After these words, the angel asked Brother Bernard why he did
not cross the river. “Because,” answered Brother Bernard, “I fear to perish
in the waters, which are very deep.” The angel said to him, “Let us cross
together; fear naught.” And, taking him by the hand, in an instant they were
both on the other side of the river. Then Brother Bernard knew him for the
angel of God, and with great joy and great reverence he exclaimed: “Blessed
angel of God, tell me thy name.” The angel answered: “Why dost thou ask my
name, which is Wonderful?” Having said these words, he disappeared, leaving
Brother Bernard greatly comforted; so that he ended his journey with much
joy, noting the day and the hour when the angel had appeared. On arriving at
the convent, where St Francis was with his favorite companions, he related
to them word for word his adventure; and they knew with a certainty that it
was the very angel who, on the same day and at the same hour, had appeared
to them also.
CHAPTER V
HOW THE HOLY BROTHER BERNARD OF ASSISI WAS
SENT BY ST FRANCIS TO BOLOGNA AND HOW HE FOUNDED A CONVENT THERE
St Francis and his companions, being called by
God to carry the cross of Christ in their hearts, to practise it in their
lives, and to preach it by their words, were truly crucified men both in
their actions and in their works. They sought after shame and contempt, out
of love for Christ, rather than the honours of the world, the respect and
praise of men. They rejoiced to be despised, and were grieved when honoured.
Thus they went about the world as pilgrims and strangers, carrying nothing
with them but Christ crucified; and because they were of the true Vine,
which is Christ, they produced great and good fruits in many souls which
they gained to God. It happened that, in the beginning of the Order, St
Francis sent Brother Bernard to Bologna, there to accomplish many good
works, according to the grace which God had given him. So Brother Bernard,
making the holy sign of the cross, in the name of holy obedience, set out
for Bologna; but when he arrived in that city, the little children in the
streets, seeing him dressed so strangely and so poorly, laughed and scoffed
at him, taking him for a madman. All these trials Brother Bernard accepted
for the love of Christ, with great patience and with great joy, and seeking
to be despised yet more, he went to the market-place, where, having seated
himself, a great number of children and men gathered round him, and taking
hold of his hood pushed him here and there, some throwing stones at him and
others dust. To all this Brother Bernard submitted in silence, his
countenance bearing an expression of holy joy, and for several days he
returned to the same spot to receive the same insults. Now, patience being a
work of perfection and a proof of virtue, a learned doctor of the law,
seeing such virtue and constancy in Brother Bernard, who had endured for so
many days such contempt and such injuries without losing his temper, said
within himself: “Without doubt this man must be a great saint”; and going up
to him, he asked him who he was, and whence he came. Brother Bernard put his
hand into his bosom, and taking out the Rule of St Francis, gave it to him
to read. The doctor, having read the Rule, was struck with wonder and
admiration at the sublime perfection therein prescribed, and turning to his
friends, he said: “Truly this is the most perfect state of Religion I have
ever heard of, and this man and his companions are the holiest men I have
met with in all the world; guilty indeed are those who insult him; we ought,
on the contrary, to honour him as a true friend of God.” And addressing
Brother Bernard, he said to him: “If it is thy wish to found a convent in
this town, in which thou mayest serve God according to thy heart’s desires,
I will help thee most willingly, for the salvation of my soul.” Brother
Bernard answered: “I believe that our Saviour Jesus Christ has inspired thee
with this good intention, and most willingly do I accept thy offer, to the
honour of Christ.” Then the doctor, with much joy and great charity,
conducted Brother Bernard to his house, and soon after gave to him a place
as he had promised, which he arranged and furnished at his own expense, and
from that moment he became a father to Brother Bernard, and the special
defender of the Friars Minor. Brother Bernard, through his holy conduct,
began to be much honoured by the people, so much so that those who could see
and touch him accounted themselves as most blessed; but he, like a true
disciple of Christ and a son of the humble Francis, fearing lest the honours
of the world should disturb his peace and endanger the salvation of his
soul, set out one day and returned to St Francis, whom he thus addressed:
“Father, the convent is founded at Bologna, send other brothers there to
keep it up and reside there, as I can no longer be of any use; indeed, I
fear that the too great honours I receive might make me lose more than I
could gain.” Now St Francis, having heard, one after another, all the things
which the Lord had wrought through Brother Bernard, rendered thanks to God,
who thus began to spread abroad the poor disciples of the Cross; then sent
he others of the brethren to Bologna, and to Lombardy, and these founded
many convents in divers countries.
CHAPTER VI
HOW ST FRANCIS, WHEN ABOUT TO DIE,
BLESSED THE HOLY BROTHER BERNARD, NAMING HIM VICAR OF THE ORDER
The holiness of Brother Bernard shone forth so
brightly, that St Francis held him in great reverence, and often was heard
to praise him. One day, as St Francis was in prayer, it was revealed to him
by God that Brother Bernard, by divine permission, would sustain many
painful combats with the devil. Now St Francis felt great compassion for
Brother Bernard, whom he loved as a son; wherefore he wept for prayed for
many days, imploring the Lord Jesus Christ to give him the victory over the
evil one. As he was praying thus devoutly, the Lord answered his prayer, and
said to him: “Fear not, Francis, for all the temptations which will assail
Brother Bernard are permitted by God, to increase his virtue and win for him
a crown of merit; for at length he will gain the victory over all his
enemies, because he is one of the ministers of the kingdom of heaven.” This
answer to prayer filled St Francis with joy; he thanked God; and from that
moment, Brother Bernard became even dearer to St Francis than before, and
many proofs of affection did he give him, not only during his life but more
especially at the hour of his death. For when St Francis was about to leave
this world, being surrounded like the holy prophet Jacob by his devoted
sons, all grieving at the departure of so beloved a Father, he thus
addressed them: “Where is my first-born son? let him come to me, that my
soul may bless him before I die.” Then Brother Bernard said in a whisper to
Brother Elias, who at that time was vicar of the Order: “Go to the right
hand of the saint, that he may bless thee.” On this Brother Elias placed
himself on the right side of St Francis - who had lost his sight through
much weeping - and the saint, putting his right hand on the head of Brother
Elias, said: “This is not the head of my first-born, Brother Bernard.” Then
Brother Bernard placed himself on the left side of St Francis, who, crossing
his arms in the form of a cross, put his right hand on the head of Brother
Bernard and his left on that of Brother Elias. Then said he to Brother
Bernard: “May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bless thee with
every blessing, spiritual and celestial; for thou art my first-born son in
God, chosen in this Order to set an example of every virtue, and to follow
Christ in evangelical poverty; for not only didst thou give all thy
possessions and distribute them freely and liberally to the poor, but thou
didst likewise offer thyself to God in this Order as a sacrifice of love;
blessed be thou, then, by our Saviour Jesus Christ and by me, his poor
servant, with eternal blessings, when thou goest out and when thou comest
in, when thou wakest and when thou sleepest, both living and dying; he that
blesseth thee shall be blessed, he that curseth thee shall not remain
unpunished. Thou shalt be at the head of all thy brethren, and all thy
commands the brethren shall obey. I give thee power to receive into this
Order whomsoever thou willest; no brother shall rule over thee. Thou art
free to go where thou wilt, and to remain where it pleaseth thee best.” So,
after the death of St Francis, the brethren loved and revered Brother
Bernard as their father, and when it was his turn to die, many brethren came
from all parts of the world to take leave of him; amongst them the angelic
Brother Giles, who when he saw Brother Bernard exclaimed, with great joy, “Sursum
corda! Brother Bernard, Sursum corda!”
and Brother Bernard ordered secretly one of the brothers to prepare for
Brother Giles a place meet for contemplation, which was done even as he
ordered. Now when the last hour of Brother Bernard arrived, he begged to be
raised in his bed, and thus addressed the brethren who surrounded him:
“Beloved brethren, I have not many words to say to you; but I wish you to
consider that, as the religious order which has been my choice has been
yours also, the hour which is now come for me will also come for you; and
this I find in my soul to tell you, that for a thousand worlds I would not
have served another Lord than our Saviour Jesus Christ. Now I accuse myself
before my Saviour and before you all of every offence I have committed; and
I pray you, my dear brethren, to love one another.” And having said these
words, and given other good advice, he lay down on his bed, his face radiant
with joy and shining with celestial brightness, of which all the brethren
were witnesses; and in that ecstasy of joy his holy soul, crowned with
glory, passed from this present life to the blessed life of the angels.
CHAPTER VII
HOW ST FRANCIS PASSED THE TIME OF LENT
IN AN ISLAND, ON THE LAKE OF PERUGIA, WHERE HE FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY
NIGHTS, EATING NO MORE THAN HALF OF ONE LOAF
The true servant of Christ, St Francis, was in
certain things like unto a second Christ given to the world for the
salvation of souls. Wherefore God the Father willed that in many points he
should be conformed to his Son, Jesus Christ, as we have already explained
in the calling of his twelve companions, as also in the mystery of the holy
stigmata, and in a fast of forty days which he made in the manner following:
St Francis, one day of the Carnival, was near
the Lake of Perugia, in the house of one of his devout children, with whom
he had spent the night, when he was inspired by God to go and pass the time
of Lent in an island on the lake. Wherefore St Francis begged his friend,
for the love of God, to convey him in his boat to an island uninhabited by
man: the which he should do during the night of Ash-Wednesday, so that none
might know where he was; and the friend, because of the great devotion he
bore to St Francis, agreed to his request, and conveyed him to the said
island, St Francis taking with him naught but two small loaves. When they
had reached the island, his friend left him and returned home; the saint
earnestly entreating him to reveal to no one where he was, and not to come
and fetch him before Holy Thursday; to which he consented. St Francis being
left alone, and there being no dwelling in the island in which he could take
shelter, entered into a thick part of the wood all overgrown with brambles
and other creeping plants, and forming as it were a kind of hut, there he
began to pray and enter into the contemplation of divine things. And there
he passed the whole of Lent without drinking or eating save half of one of
the small loaves he had taken with him, as we learned from his friend who,
going to fetch him on Holy Thursday, found one of the loaves untouched and
the other only half consumed. It is believed that St Francis ate this half
out of reverence for our Blessed Lord, who fasted forty days and forty
nights without taking any material food; for by eating this bit of bread he
put aside the temptation to vainglory, and yet fasted forty days and forty
nights in imitation of the Saviour. In later times God worked many miracles,
through the merits of the saint, on the spot where St Francis had fasted so
wonderfully, on which account people began to build houses and dwell there,
and little by little a town rose up, with a convent called the Convent of
the Isle; and to this day the inhabitants of that town hold in great respect
and great devotion the spot in which St Francis passed the time of Lent.
CHAPTER VIII
HOW ST FRANCIS, WALKING ONE DAY WITH
BROTHER LEO, EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT THINGS ARE PERFECT JOY
One day in winter, as St Francis was going
with Brother Leo from Perugia to St Mary of the Angels, and was suffering
greatly from the cold, he called to Brother Leo, who was walking on before
him, and said to him: “Brother Leo, if it were to please God that the Friars
Minor should give, in all lands, a great example of holiness and
edification, write down, and note carefully, that this would not be perfect
joy.” A little further on, St Francis called to him a second time: “O
Brother Leo, if the Friars Minor were to make the lame to walk, if they
should make straight the crooked, chase away demons, give sight to the
blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, and, what is even a far
greater work, if they should raise the dead after four days, write that this
would not be perfect joy.” Shortly after, he cried out again: “O Brother
Leo, if the Friars Minor knew all languages; if they were versed in all
science; if they could explain all Scripture; if they had the gift of
prophecy, and could reveal, not only all future things, but likewise the
secrets of all consciences and all souls, write that this would not be
perfect joy.” After proceeding a few steps farther, he cried out again with
a loud voice: “O Brother Leo, thou little lamb of God! if the Friars Minor
could speak with the tongues of angels; if they could explain the course of
the stars; if they knew the virtues of all plants; if all the treasures of
the earth were revealed to them; if they were acquainted with the various
qualities of all birds, of all fish, of all animals, of men, of trees, of
stones, of roots, and of waters - write that this would not be perfect joy.”
Shortly after, he cried out again: “O Brother Leo, if the Friars Minor had
the gift of preaching so as to convert all infidels to the faith of Christ,
write that this would not be perfect joy.” Now when this manner of discourse
had lasted for the space of two miles, Brother Leo wondered much within
himself; and, questioning the saint, he said: “Father, I pray thee teach me
wherein is perfect joy.” St Francis answered: “If, when we shall arrive at
St Mary of the Angels, all drenched with rain and trembling with cold, all
covered with mud and exhausted from hunger; if, when we knock at the
convent-gate, the porter should come angrily and ask us who we are; if,
after we have told him, ‘We are two of the brethren’, he should answer
angrily, ‘What ye say is not the truth; ye are but two impostors going about
to deceive the world, and take away the alms of the poor; begone I say’; if
then he refuse to open to us, and leave us outside, exposed to the snow and
rain, suffering from cold and hunger till nightfall - then, if we accept
such injustice, such cruelty and such contempt with patience, without being
ruffled and without murmuring, believing with humility and charity that the
porter really knows us, and that it is God who maketh him to speak thus
against us, write down, O Brother Leo, that this is perfect joy. And if we
knock again, and the porter come out in anger to drive us away with oaths
and blows, as if we were vile impostors, saying, ‘Begone, miserable robbers!
to to the hospital, for here you shall neither eat nor sleep!’ - and if we
accept all this with patience, with joy, and with charity, O Brother Leo,
write that this indeed is perfect joy. And if, urged by cold and hunger, we
knock again, calling to the porter and entreating him with many tears to
open to us and give us shelter, for the love of God, and if he come out more
angry than before, exclaiming, ‘These are but importunate rascals, I will
deal with them as they deserve’; and taking a knotted stick, he seize us by
the hood, throwing us on the ground, rolling us in the snow, and shall beat
and wound us with the knots in the stick - if we bear all these injuries
with patience and joy, thinking of the sufferings of our Blessed Lord, which
we would share out of love for him, write, O Brother Leo, that here,
finally, is perfect joy. And now, brother, listen to the conclusion. Above
all the graces and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ grants to
his friends, is the grace of overcoming oneself, and accepting willingly,
out of love for Christ, all suffering, injury, discomfort and contempt; for
in all other gifts of God we cannot glory, seeing they proceed not from
ourselves but from God, according to the words of the Apostle, ‘What hast
thou that thou hast not received from God? and if thou hast received it, why
dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?’ But in the cross of
tribulation and affliction we may glory, because, as the Apostle says again,
‘I will not glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Amen.”
CHAPTER IX
HOW ST FRANCIS WOULD TEACH BROTHER LEO
WHAT TO ANSWER, AND HOW THE LATTER COULD NEVER SAY AUGHT BUT THE CONTRARY TO
WHAT ST FRANCIS WISHED
Once, as the beginning of the Order, St Francis
was with Brother Leo in a convent where they had no books wherewith to say
divine office. So, when the hour of Matins arrived, St Francis said to
Brother Leo: “My beloved brother, we have no Breviary wherewith to say
Matins, but in order to employ the time in praising God, I will speak, and
thou shalt answer me as I shall teach thee; and beware thou change not the
words I shall bid thee say. Thus will I begin: ‘O Brother Francis, thou hast
done so much evil, and hast committed so many sins in the world, that thou
art only worthy of hell’; and thou, Brother Leo, shalt answer: ‘It is very
true thou art worthy of the nethermost hell.’” And Brother Leo said, with
the simplicity of a dove, “Right willingly, Father; begin, then, in the name
of God.” St Francis therefore began thus: O Brother Francis, thou hast done
so much evil, and hast committed so many sins in the world, that thou art
worthy of hell.” And Brother Leo made answer: “God will work so much good
through thee, that thou wilt certainly go to heaven”. Do not speak thus,
“Brother Leo,” said St Francis; “but when I say, ‘Brother Francis, thou hast
committed so many iniquities against God, that thou art worthy to be cursed
by him,’ thou shalt make answer: ‘Yes, indeed, thou art worthy to be
numbered among the cursed.’” And Brother Leo answered: “Most willingly, O my
Father.” Then St Francis, with many tears and sighs, striking his breast,
cried with a loud voice: “O Lord of heaven and earth, I have committed
against thee so many sins and so great iniquities, that I deserve to be
cursed by thee.” And Brother Leo answered: “O Brother Francis, among all the
blessed the Lord will cause thee to be singularly blessed.” And St Francis,
much surprised that Brother Leo answered quite the contrary to what he had
ordered him, reproved him for it, saying: “Why answereth thou not as I
taught thee? I command thee, under holy obedience, so to do. When I say, ‘O
wicked Brother Francis, dost thou think God will have mercy on thee, when
thou hast so sinned against the Father of mercies that thou art not worthy
of finding mercy,’ then thou, Brother Leo, my little lamb, shalt answer:
‘Thou art not worthy of finding mercy.’” But when St Francis began to
repeat, “O wicked Brother Francis,” and so on, Brother Leo answered: “God
the Father, whose mercy in infinitely greater than thy sin, will show great
mercy upon thee, and will grant thee likewise many graces.” At this answer
St Francis, being meekly angry, and patiently impatient, said to Brother
Leo: “How canst thou presume to act against obedience? Why hast thou so
often answered the contrary to what I ordered thee?” With great humility and
respect Brother Leo answered: “God knows, my Father, that I had resolved in
my heart each time to answer as thou didst command me, but the Lord made me
to speak as it pleased him, and not as it pleased me.” Then St Francis,
being greatly astonished, said to Brother Leo: “I entreat thee, beloved,
this time to answer as I command thee.” And Brother Leo said: “Speak, in the
name of God; for this time most certainly I will answer thee as thou
desirest.” And St Francis, weeping, said: “O wicked Brother Francis, dost
thou think that God will have mercy on thee?” And Brother Leo answered: “Not
only will he have mercy on thee, but thou shalt receive from him especial
graces: he will exalt thee and glorify thee to all eternity, for he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted; and I cannot speak otherwise, because it
is God that speaketh by my lips.” After this in humble contest, they watched
till morning in many tears and much spiritual consolation.
CHAPTER X
HOW BROTHER MASSEO TOLD ST FRANCIS, AS IN
JEST, THAT THE WORLD WAS GONE AFTER HIM; AND HOW ST FRANCIS ANSWERED THAT IT
WAS INDEED SO, TO THE CONFUSION OF THE WORLD AND THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD
St Francis once was living at the Convent of the
Portiuncula, with Brother Masseo of Marignano, a man of great sanctity and
great discernment, who held frequent converse with God; for which reason St
Francis loved him much. One day, as St Francis was returning from the
forest, where he had been in prayer, the said Brother Masseo, wishing to
test the humility of the saint, went forth to meet him exclaiming: “Why
after thee? Why after thee?” To which St Francis made answer: “What is this?
What meanest thou?” Brother Masseo answered: “I mean, why is it that all the
world goeth after thee; why do all men wish to see thee, to hear thee, and
to obey thy word? For thou art neither comely nor learned, nor art thou of
noble birth. How is it, then, that all the world goeth after thee?” St
Francis, hearing these words, rejoiced greatly in spirit, and lifting up his
eyes to heaven, remained for a long space with his mind rapt in God; then,
coming to himself, he knelt down, returning thanks to God with great fervour
of spirit, and addressing Brother Messeo, said to him: “Wouldst thou know
why all men come after me? Know that it is because the Lord, who is in
heaven, who sees the evil and the good in all places - because, I say, his
holy eyes have found among men no one more wicked, more imperfect, or a
greater sinner than I am; and to accomplish the wonderful work which he
intends to do, he has found no creature more vile than I am on earth; for
which reason he has chosen me, to confound all strength, beauty, greatness,
noble birth, and all the science of the world, that men may learn that every
virtue and every good gift cometh from him, and not from any creature, that
none may glory before him; but if any one glory, let him glory in the Lord,
to whom belongeth all glory in eternity.” Then Brother Masseo, at such a
humble answer, given with so much fervour, was greatly impressed, and
learned of a certainty that St Francis was well grounded in humility.
CHAPTER XI
HOW ST FRANCIS MADE BROTHER MASSEO
TURNROUND AND ROUND LIKE A CHILD, AND THEN TO GO TO SIENA
One day, as St Francis was travelling with
Brother Masseo, who was walking in front, they arrived at a spot where three
roads met, one leading to Florence, one to Siena, and one to Arezzo, and
Brother Masseo asked of St Francis which road they should take. “The one
which God wills,” answered St Francis. Said brother Masseo: “And how are we
to know the will of God?” “By the sign I shall show thee,” answered St
Francis; “I order thee, by the merit of holy obedience, on the spot where
now thou art, to turn round and round, as children do in play, and not to
stop or rest until I bid thee.” On this Brother Masseo began to turn round
and round, until his head became dizzy, as is wont to happen from such
turning, and he fell down several times. But, as St Francis did not bid him
to stop, he went on, out of obedience, till at last St Francis said: “Stand
still, and move not; but tell me towards which of the three roads thou art
turned?” “Towards that which leadeth to Siena,” answered Brother Masseo.
“That is the road,” said St Francis, “which it pleaseth God we should take.”
As he went on his way, Brother Masseo wondered to himself why St Francis had
made him turn round like a child, in the presence of all those who passed
that way, but out of reverence to the saint he did not dare ask him. As they
reached Siena, the people of that city, having heard that the saint was
approaching, went, out of devotion, to meet him, and taking him and Brother
Masseo on their shoulders, carried them to the Bishop’s palace, so that
their feet touched not the ground. In that same hour some of the inhabitants
of Siena were fighting among themselves, and two of them had been killed.
Then St Francis, hurrying to the spot, spoke to them so devoutly and in such
holy words, that he constrained them all to make peace and give over
quarrelling. The Bishop, having heard tell of the holy action of St Francis,
invited him to his house, and received him with great honour, retaining him
with him all that day and the following night. The next morning, St Francis,
who in all his acts sought only the glory of God, rose very early with his
companion, and went his way, without even taking leave of the Bishop; at
which Brother Masseo murmured within himself, saying, as he went, “What is
this that this good man has done? He has made me turn round and round like a
child, and he leaves the Bishop, who has received him with such honour,
without saying a word, or even thanking him”; for it seemed to Brother
Masseo that St Francis had acted indiscreetly; but, inwardly checked by a
divine inspiration, he thus reproached himself for indulging in such
thoughts: “Thou art too proud who darest to judge the operation of divine
grace; thine indiscreet pride makes thee worthy of hell; for Brother Francis
yesterday performed such holy actions, that they could not be more wonderful
had they been accomplished by an angel of God: so that even were he to order
thee to throw stones, thou shouldst do so out of obedience; for that which
he has done at Siena is the work of God, as the result proveth, for had he
not pacified the men who were fighting together, not only would many have
fallen victims, but the devil would have drawn many souls to hell. It is thy
folly and thy pride which make thee to murmur at that which preceeds so
manifestly from the will of God.” Now all these things which Brother Masseo
said in his heart were revealed to St Francis, who, coming up to him, said:
“Hold fast the things which thou art thinking of at this moment, for they
are good and useful, and inspired by God; but thy murmurings, which preceded
them, were blind and vain and full of pride, being sent into thy soul by the
devil.” Then Brother Masseo clearly saw that St Francis knew the secrets of
his heart, and understood of a certainty how the spirit of divine wisdom
directed all the actions of his holy father.
CHAPTER XII
HOW ST FRANCIS GAVE TO BROTHER MASSEO
THE OFFICE OF PORTER, OF ALMONER AND OF COOK; AND HOW, AT THE REQUEST OF THE
OTHER BRETHREN, HE AFTERWARDS TOOK THESE DUTIES FROM HIM
St Francis, wishing to mortify Brother Masseo,
that pride should not enter his soul, because of the many graces and gifts
he had received from God, and also that, through the grace of humility, he
should advance from virtue to virtue, once when he was residing in a
solitary convent with his first companions, who were all examples of
holiness, of which number Brother Masseo was one, he said unto the latter,
before all the brethren: “O Brother Messeo, all these thy companions have
the grace of contemplation and of prayer; but thou hast the grace of
preaching the word of God and of pleasing the people. I will therefore, in
order that they may give themselves to contemplation, that thou fill the
office of porter, of almoner and of cook, and that, when the other monks
shall be at their meals, thou alone shalt eat outside the convent-gate, so
as to be ready to say a few godly words to such as come to the convent,
before they knock at the gate, and so that none other shall be obliged to go
out but thee; this thou shalt accomplish, through the virtue of holy
obedience.” Then Brother Masseo put down his hood, bowed his head, and
meekly received and executed this order; filling for some days the offices
of porter, of almoner and of cook. At this his companions, who were all men
enlightened by the Spirit of God, seeing him thus employed, began to feel in
their hearts great remorse, considering how Brother Masseo had reached a
greater state of perfection than any of them, and how all the work of the
convent fell to his share, and none to theirs. Then went they all to St
Francis, begging him to divide among them those charges, since they could
not in conscience allow Brother Masseo to bear all the burden of the
convent. At this St Francis, heeding their request, granted what they asked,
and calling Brother Masseo, said unto him: “Brother Masseo, thy brethren
wish to share the charges I have given thee, wherefore I will that the
charges be divided among you all.” Said Brother Masseo, with great humility
and patience: “Father, whatever charge thou puttest upon me, be it small or
be it great, I accept it as ordained by the Lord.” Then St Francis, seeing
the charity of the brethren and the humility of Brother Masseo, made them a
most wonderful sermon on holy humility, teaching them that, the greater the
gifts and graces we receive from God, so much greater must be our humility;
for without humility no virtue can be acceptable to him. Then, having
finished his sermon, he distributed the charges among them with great
charity.
CHAPTER XIII
HOW ST FRANCIS AND BROTHER MASSEO
PLACED THE BREAD THEY HAD BEGGED UPON A STONE NEAR A FOUNTAIN, AND HOW ST
FRANCIS PRAISED THE VIRTUE OF HOLY POVERTY, PRAYING ST PETER AND ST PAUL TO
MAKE HIM LOVE HOLY POVERTY GREATLY, AND HOW ST PETER AND ST PAUL APPEARED TO
HIM
The wonderful servant and follower of Christ,
St Francis, wishing to be in all things conformed to his Master - who, as
the Gospel tells, sent his disciples two by two into all the cities and
lands whither he intended to go to prepare the way for him - after he had
assembled his twelve companions, sent them forth two by two into the world
to preach. In order to set them an example of holy obedience, he first began
to act himself like the Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore, having sent his
companions to divers parts of the world, he took with him Brother Masseo,
and set out towards the province of France. On arriving in a certain town,
being very hungry, they went, according to the Rule, begging their bread for
the love of God. St Francis took one street, and Brother Masseo the other.
St Francis, being a little man, with a mean exterior, did not attract much
attention, and gathered only a few bits of dry bread, whereas Brother
Masseo, being tall and good-looking, received many large pieces of bread,
with several whole loaves. When they had ended their task of begging, they
met on a spot outside the city where there was a beautiful fountain and a
large stone, on which each placed what he had collected. St Francis, seeing
that the pieces of bread which Brother Messeo had collected were much larger
and better than those he had received, rejoiced greatly, and said: “O
Brother Masseo, we are not worthy of this great treasure”; and he repeated
these words several times. At this Brother Masseo answered: “Father, how
canst thou talk of a treasure where there is so much poverty, and indeed a
lack of all things? for we have neither cloth, nor knife, nor dish, nor
table, nor house to eat in, nor servant or maid to wait upon us.” St Francis
answered: “This is indeed the reason why I account it a great treasure,
because man has had on hand in it, but all has been given to us by divine
Providence, as we clearly see in this bread of charity, this beautiful table
of stone, and this so clear fountain. Wherefore let us beg of God to make us
love with all our hearts the treasure of holy poverty.” Having spoken thus,
they returned thanks; and when they had refreshed themselves with the bread
and water, they rose and went on their way to France. And meeting with a
church on the road, St Francis said to his companion, “Let us enter this
church and pray.” And entering in, St Francis cast himself down in prayer
before the altar, and during his prayer the Lord visited him with a great
increase of fervour, which so inflamed his soul with affection for holy
poverty, that it seemed as if flames played around his head, and preceeded
from his mouth; and going thus, all shining and burning with divine love, to
his companion, he said to him, “Ah! ah! ah! Brother Masseo, give thyself to
me”; and these words he repeated three times. At the third time he breathed
on Brother Masseo, who, to his great surprise, was raised above the earth,
and fell at some distance before the saint. He told his companion afterwards
that, while thus raised in the air, he had felt such a sweet sensation in
his soul, and had received such consolations from the Holy Spirit, as he had
never before experienced. After this St Francis said to his companion: “Let
us go to St Peter and St Paul, and let us pray them together that they may
teach us and help us to possess the unbounded treasure of holy poverty, for
it is a treasure so great and so divine, that we are not worthy to possess
it in these vile bodies of ours. It is this celestial virtue which teaches
us to despise all earthly and transitory things, and through it every
hindrance is removed from the soul, so that it can freely commune with God.
Through this virtue it is that the soul, while still on earth, is able to
converse with the angels in heaven. This virtue it is which remained with
Christ upon the Cross, was buried with Christ, rose again with Christ, and
with Christ went up into heaven. This virtue it is which even in this world
enables the souls who are inflamed with love of him to fly up to heaven; it
is also the guardian of true charity and humility. Let us then pray the holy
Apostles of Christ, who were perfect lovers of this evangelical pearl, to
obtain for us from the Saviour Jesus the grace, through his great mercy, to
become true lovers, strict observers, and humble disciples of this most
precious, most beloved, and most evangelical grace of poverty.” And thus
conversing they arrived at Rome, and entered the church of St Peter, where
St Francis knelt in prayer in one corner and Brother Masseo in another.
After praying for some time with great devotion and many tears, the most
holy Apostles Peter and Paul appeared to St Francis in much splendour, and
thus addressed him: “As thy prayer and thy wish is to observe that which
Christ and his holy Apostles observed, the Lord Jesus sends us to thee, to
tell thee that thy prayer has been heard, and that it is granted to thee and
to all thy followers to possess the treasure of holy poverty. We tell thee
also from him, that whosoever, after thy example, shall embrace this holy
virtue, shall most certainly enjoy perfect happiness in heaven; for thou and
all thy followers shall be blessed by God.” Having said these words they
disappeared, leaving St Francis full of consolation. Then rising from
prayer, and returning to Brother Masseo, he asked him if God had revealed
anything to him in prayer. He answered, “No.” Then St Francis told him how
the holy Apostles had appeared to him, and what they had said. And both
being filled with joy, they resolved to return to the Valley of Spoleto,
giving up the journey into France.
CHAPTER XIV
HOW THE LORD APPEARED TO ST FRANCIS AND
TO HIS BRETHREN AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH THEM
In the beginning of the Order, St Francis,
having assembled his companions to speak to them of Christ, in a moment of
great fervour of spirit commanded one of them, in the name of God, to open
his mouth and speak as the Holy Spirit should inspire him. The brother,
doing as he was ordered, spoke most wonderfully of God. Then St Francis bade
him to be silent, and ordered another brother to speak in the same way,
which having done with much penetration, St Francis ordered him likewise to
be silent, and commanded a third brother to do the same. This one began to
speak so deeply of the things of God, that St Francis was convinced that
both he and his companion had spoken through the Holy Spirit. Of which also
he received a manifest proof; for whilst they were thus speaking together,
our Blessed Lord appeared in the midst of them, under the form of a
beautiful young man, and blessed them all. And they, being ravished out of
themselves, fell to the ground as if they had been dead, and were all
unconscious of things external. And when they recovered from their trance,
St Francis said to them: “My beloved brothers, let us thank God, who has
deigned to reveal to the world, through his humble servants, the treasures
of divine wisdom. For the Lord it is who openeth the mouth of the dumb, and
maketh the tongues of the simple to speak wisdom.”
CHAPTER XV
HOW ST CLARE ATE WITH ST FRANCIS AND HIS
COMPANIONS AT ST MARY OF THE ANGELS
St Francis, when residing at Assisi, often
visited St Clare, to give her holy counsel. And she, having a great desire
to eat once with him, often begged him to grant her this request; but the
saint would never allow her this consolation. His companions, therefore,
being aware of the refusal of St Francis, and knowing how great was the wish
of Sister Clare to eat with him, went to seek him, and thus addressed him:
“Father, it seems to us that this severity on thy part in not granting so
small a thing to Sister Clare, a virgin so holy and so dear to God, who
merely asks for once to eat with thee, is not according to holy charity,
especially if we consider how it was at thy preaching that she abandoned the
riches and pomps of this words. Of a truth, if she were to ask of thee even
a greater grace than this, thou shouldst grant it to thy spiritual
daughter.” St Francis answered: “It seems to you, then, that I ought to
grant her this request?” His companions made answer: “Yea, father, it is
meet that thou grant her this favour and this consolation.” St Francis
answered: “As you think so, let it be so, then; but, in order that she may
be the more consoled, I will that the meal do take place in front of St Mary
of the Angels, because, having been for so long time shut up in San Damiano,
it will do her good to see the church of St Mary, wherein she took the veil,
and was made a spouse of Christ. There, then, we will eat together in the
name of God.” When the appointed day arrived, St Clare left her convent with
great joy, taking with her one of her sisters, and followed by the
companions of St Francis. She arrived at St Mary of the Angels, and having
devoutly saluted the Virgin Mary, before whose altar her hair had been cut
off, and she had received the veil, they conducted her to the convent, and
showed her all over it. In the meantime St Francis prepared the meal on the
bare ground, as was his custom. The hour of dinner being arrived, St Francis
and St Clare, with one of the brethren of St Francis and the sister who had
accompanied the saint, sat down together, all the other companions of St
Francis seated humbly round them. When the first dish was served, St Francis
began to speak of God so sweetly, so sublimely, and in a manner so
wonderful, that the grace of God visited them abundantly, and all were rapt
in Christ. Whilst they were thus rapt, with eyes and hearts raised to
heaven, the people of Assisi and of Bettona, and all the country round
about, saw St Mary of the Angels as it were on fire, with the convent and
the woods adjoining. It seemed to them as if the church, the convent, and
the woods were all enveloped in flames; and the inhabitants of Assisi
hastened with great speed to put out the fire. On arriving at the convent,
they found no fire; and entering within the gates they saw St Francis, St
Clare, with all their companions, sitting round their humble meal, absorbed
in contemplation; then knew they of a certainty, that what they had seen was
a celestial fire, not a material one, which God miraculously had sent to
bear witness to the divine flame of love which consumed the souls of those
holy brethren and nuns; and they returned home with great consolation in
their hearts, and much holy edification. After a long lapse of time, St
Francis, St Clare, and their companions came back to themselves; and, being
fully restored by the spiritual food, cared not to eat that which had been
prepared for them; so that, the holy meal being finished, St Clare, well
accompanied, returned to San Damiano, where the sisters received her with
great joy, as they had feared that St Francis might have sent her to rule
some other convent, as he had already sent St Agnes, the sister of the
saint, to be Abbess of the Convent of Monticelli, at Florence. For St
Francis had often said to St Clare, “Be ready, in case I send thee to some
other convent”; and she, like a daughter of holy obedience, had answered,
“Father, I am always ready to go whithersoever thou shalt send me.” For
which reason the sisters greatly rejoiced when she returned to them, and St
Clare was from that time much consoled.
CHAPTER XVI
HOW ST FRANCIS, HAVING BEEN TOLD BY ST
CLARE AND THE HOLY BROTHER SILVESTER THAT HE SHOULD PREACH AND CONVERT MANY
TO THE FAITH, FOUNDED THE THIRD ORDER, PREACHED TO THE BIRDS, AND REDUCED TO
SILENCE THE SWALLOWS
The humble servant of Christ, St Francis, a
short time after his conversion, having already assembled and received many
brothers into the Order, was much troubled and perplexed in mind as to what
he ought to do; whether to give himself entirely to prayer, or now and then
to preach the Word. Through his great humility, he had no opinion of himself
or of the virtue of his prayers; and, wishing to know the will of God, he
sought to learn it through the prayers of others. Wherefore he called to him
Brother Masseo, and thus addressed him: “Go to Sister Clare, and bid her
from me to set herself with some of the holiest of her sisters to pray the
Lord that he may show me clearly whether he wills that I should preach or
only keep to prayer. Then go to Brother Silvester, and ask of him the same
favour.” Now Brother Silvester had been in the world, and was the same who
had seen in vision a golden cross come out of St Francis’s mouth, whose
height reached up to heaven and its breadth to the farthest extremities of
the world. Brother Silvester was so holy, that whatever he asked of God was
granted to his prayer, and very often he held converse with the Lord; so
that St Francis revered him greatly. Then Brother Masseo did as St Francis
had commanded him; carrying the message first to St Clare, and then to
Brother Silvester, who set about praying immediately; and, having received
the answer from the Lord, returned to Brother Masseo, and said to him: “The
Lord says, go and tell Brother Francis that he has called him to this state
to save merely his own soul but that he may produce fruits in those of
others, and that through him many souls be saved.” Having received this
answer, Brother Messeo returned to Sister Clare, to ask what she had learnt
from God; and she told him that she and all her companions had received from
God the same answer as the Lord had given to Brother Silvester. Then Brother
Masseo hastened to St Francis to bring him these answers; and St Francis
received him with great charity, washing his feet, and serving him at
dinner. When the repast was over, he called Brother Masseo into the forest,
and, kneeling down before him, put back his hood; and crossing his arms on
his breast, he said to him: “What answer dost thou bring me? what does my
Lord Jesus Christ order me to do?” Brother Masseo answered: “The Lord Jesus
Christ has revealed both to Brother Silvester and to Sister Clare, that it
is his will thou shouldest go about the world to preach; for thou hast not
been called for thyself alone, but the the salvation of others.” Then St
Francis, having received the answer, and knowing it to be the will of the
Lord Jesus Christ, arose with fervour, saying, “Let us go in the name of
God”; and taking with him Brother Masseo and Brother Agnolo, both holy men,
he let himself be guided by the Spirit of God, without considering the road
he took. They soon arrived at a town called Savurniano, where St Francis
began to preach, first ordering the swallows, who were calling, to keep
silence until he had finished; and the swallows obeyed his voice. He
preached with such fervour, that the inhabitants of the town wished to
follow him out of devotion; but St Francis would not allow them, saying: “Be
not in such haste, and leave not your homes. I will tell you what you must
do to save your souls.” Thereupon he founded the Third Order for the
salvation of all; and leaving them much consoled and well disposed to do
penance, he departed thence, and reached a spot between Cannaio and Bevagno.
And as he went on his way, with great fervour, St Francis lifted up his
eyes, and saw on some trees by the wayside a great multitude of birds; and
being much surprised, he said to his companions, “Wait for me here by the
way, whilst I go and preach to my little sisters the birds”; and entering
into the field, he began to preach to the birds which were on the ground,
and suddenly all those also on the trees came round him, and all listened
while St Francis preached to them, and did not fly away until he had given
them his blessing. And Brother Masseo related afterwards to Brother James of
Massa how St Francis went among them and even touched them with his
garments, and how none of them moved. Now the substance of the sermon was
this: “My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye
ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has
given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin
nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves
and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with
Noe that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you,
though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to
quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees
in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having
thus favoured you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin
of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.” As he said these
words, all the birds began to open their beaks, to stretch their necks, to
spread their wings and reverently to bow their heads to the ground,
endeavouring by their motions and by their songs to manifest their joy to St
Francis. And the saint rejoiced with them. He wondered to see such a
multitude of birds, and was charmed with their beautiful variety, with their
attention and familiarity, for all which he devoutly gave thanks to the
Creator. Having finished his sermon, St Francis made the sign of the cross,
and gave them leave to fly away. Then all those birds rose up into the air,
singing most sweetly; and, following the sign of the cross, which St Francis
had made, they divided themselves into four companies. One company flew
towards the east, another towards the west, one towards the south, and one
towards the north; each company as it went singing most wonderfully;
signifying thereby, that as St Francis, the bearer of the Cross of Christ,
had preached to them and made upon them the sign of the cross, after which
they had divided among themselves the four parts of the world, so the
preaching of the Cross of Christ, renewed by St Francis, would be carried by
him and by his brethren over all the world, and that the humble friars, like
little birds, should posses nothing in this world, but should cast all the
care of their lives on the providence of God.
CHAPTER XVII
HOW A LITTLE CHILD WHO HAD ENTERED THE
ORDER SAW ST FRANCIS IN PRAYER ONE NIGHT, AND SAW ALSO THE SAVIOUR, THE
VIRGIN MARY, AND MANY OTHER SAINTS TALK WITH HIM
A certain pure and innocent child was
received into the Order during the lifetime of St Francis, and the convent
in which he lived was so small that the monks were obliged to sleep on mats.
It chanced that St Francis came one day to that convent, and in the evening,
after Compline, he went to rest, so as to rise up early to pray, as was his
custom, when all the other friars were still asleep. The said little child
had made up his mind carefully to watch St Francis, to learn something of
his sanctity, and find out more especially what he did in the night when he
got up; and in order that he might not be overtaken by sleep, he laid him
down by St Francis, tying the end of the cord he wore round his waist to the
one which the saint wore, so that he was sure of being awakened when the
latter got up in the night; and this he did so gently, that St Francis was
not aware of his contrivance. When all the other friars were fast asleep, St
Francis rose from sleep, and finding the child’s cord tied to his own, he
carefully untied it so as not to awake him and went alone into the wood
which was near the convent. Entering into a little cell which was there, he
began to pray. Shortly after, the child awoke, and finding St Francis gone,
and the cord untied, he rose up quickly and went to seek him. Perceiving the
door open which led to the wood, he thought St Francis had gone that way;
and entering into the wood, and hurrying on to the little cell, he heard the
sound of many voices. Approaching near to hear and see whence they came, he
saw a great and wonderful light all round the saint, and in the light was
Jesus Christ, with the Virgin Mary, St John the Baptist, St John the
Evangelist, and a great multitude of angels, all talking with St Francis. On
seeing this the child fell to the ground as if he had been dead. The miracle
of this holy vision being ended, St Francis rose to return to the convent,
and stumbling in the way against the child, who appeared to be dead, with
great compassion he took him up in his arms and carried him in his bosom, as
the good shepherd is wont to carry his lambs. Having learned from him how he
had seen the vision, he forbade him to tell any man thereof so long as he,
St Francis, lived. The little child grew up in the grace of God, and had a
great devotion to St Francis. He became one of the most distinguished men of
the Order. After the death of St Francis, he related the vision to the
brethren.
CHAPTER XVIII
OF THE WONDERFUL CHAPTER HELD BY ST
FRANCIS AT ST MARY OF THE ANGELS, AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND FRIARS
WERE PRESENT
The faithful servant of Christ, St Francis,
once held a general chapter at St Mary of the Angels, at which chapter more
than five thousand friars were present. Amongst them also was St Dominic,
the head and founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, who chanced to be on
his way from Bologna to Rome: for having heard of the chapter which St
Francis had called together in the plain of St Mary of the Angels, he went
there with seven friars of his Order. A certain Cardinal also, much devoted
to St Francis, to whom the saint had foretold that he would one day be Pope,
came expressly from Perugia to Assisi, and everyday he went to visit St
Francis and his brethren. Sometimes he sang Mass and preached to them; and
each time the said Cardinal visited the holy company he experienced much
pleasure and devotion. Seeing the friars all seated in the plain round St
Mary of the Angels, in groups - here forty, there a hundred, and elsewhere
eighty, all occupied in conversing about God, or in prayer, or in works of
charity - seeing them all so silent and so grave, and wondering how such a
multitude could be so orderly, he was moved to tears, and exclaimed, with
great devotion, “Truly this is the field of God; this is the army, and these
are the knights of the Lord.” No vain or useless word was to be heard in all
that multitude; each group of friars was engaged either in prayer, or saying
their office, in weeping over their sins and those of their benefactors, or
in reasoning on the salvation of souls. Many tents made of mats had been
pitched in that field, divided in groups, according to the different
provinces from whence the friars came; so that this Chapter was called the
“Chapter of mats”.
The friars had no other beds but the bare
ground, with here and there a little straw; for pillows they had stones or
pieces of wood. For which reasons they were held in much devotion; and so
great was the fame of their sanctity, that many came to see and hear them
from the court of the Pope which was at Perugia, and from other parts of the
Valley of Spoleto. Many counts and barons, many knights and other gentlemen,
many Cardinals, Bishops and Abbots, many priests and much people, came to
see this great and holy and humble congregation; for the world had never yet
witnessed so many holy men assembled together; and most especially they went
thither to see the saintly founder; and father of the Order, who had taken
from the world so many gifted men, and had formed so beautiful and devout a
flock to follow the steps of the true Pastor, Jesus Christ. The chapter
being assembled, St Francis, the father of all those holy men, expounded
with great fervour of spirit the Word of God, speaking to them in a loud
voice that which the Holy Spirit dictated. Now the subject he took for his
sermon was this: “My children, we have promised great things to God, and God
has promised even greater things to us. If we observe what we have promised
him, we shall certainly receive what he has promised to us. The pleasures of
this world pass quickly away, but the punishment which follows them is
eternal. The sufferings of this world are trifling, but the glory of the
life to come is without bounds.” And, preaching on these words most
devoutly, he comforted the brethren, encouraging them to holy obedience, to
reverence for holy Mother Church, to charity among themselves, to pray God
for all people, to bear with patience the adversities of life, to be
temperate in prosperity, to keep angelic purity and chastity, to be at peace
with God, with men and with their own conscience, to love, to observe, and
to practise holy poverty. He then added: “I command you all here present,
through holy obedience, to take no thought what you shall eat or what you
shall drink, or of aught else that is necessary to the body, but only to
meditate, to pray, and to praise God, casting on him the thought of all the
rest, for he has you all in his especial care; and let each of you receive
this command with a happy heart and a joyful countenance.” St Francis having
finished his sermon, all the friars began to pray. Yet St Dominic, who was
present, wondered much at this order of St Francis, considering it as
indiscreet, for he could not understand how such a great multitude could
exist without taking thought for the body. But the heavenly Pastor, our
Blessed Saviour, wishing to show the care he takes of his lambs, and with
what singular love he loves his poor servants, put into the hearts of all
the people of Perugia, of Spoleto, of Foligno, of Spello, of Assisi, and of
all the neighbouring country, to take meat and drink to that holy
congregation; and presently men came from all these places with horses, and
asses, and carts laden with bread and wine, with beans and cheese, and other
good things of which the poor of Christ had need. Besides all this, they
brought napkins and knives, jugs and glasses, and all that was needed for
such a multitude; and those who could carry most and serve the best rejoiced
greatly, and the knights, barons, and other noblemen, who were present,
waited on the brethren with great devotion and humility. St Dominic, seeing
this, and knowing of a certainty that it was the divine providence of God
which had provided for them thus, acknowledged most humbly that he had
unjustly accused St Francis of giving indiscreet orders; and going to him,
he knelt humbly before him and confessed his fault, adding: “The Lord truly
hath especial care of all these holy servants of poverty. I knew it not till
now, and henceforth I promise to observe holy evangelical poverty; and, in
the name of God, I condemn all friars of my Order who shall seek to have
possessions of their own.” And St Dominic was greatly edified by the faith
of the most holy Francis, by the obedience and poverty of so large and
well-ordered a chapter, and he blessed the providence of God, who had given
them every grace in such abundance. In that same chapter also it was
revealed to St Francis that many brethren wore on their flesh small hearts
and bands of iron, for which reason many were ill and hindered in their
prayers; and St Francis, like a discreet father, gave order, under holy
obedience, that all who wore such things should take them off and place them
before him - and more than five hundred little hearts and bands of iron were
placed before him - some destined to be worn round the arms, and others
round the waist - and all together formed a large heap, which St Francis
ordered to be left in that field. The chapter being ended, he encouraged
them all in well-doing, warning them to avoid sin in this wicked world, and
sent them to their divers provinces, with his blessing and that of God,
filled with spiritual joy and consolation.
CHAPTER XIX
HOW THE VINE OF THE PRIEST OF RIETI,
WHOSE HOUSE ST FRANCIS ENTERED TO PRAY, WAS TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT BY THE GREAT
NUMBERS WHO CAME TO SEE HIM, AND HOW IT YET PRODUCED A GREATER QUANTITY OF
WINE THAN USUAL, AS ST FRANCIS HAD PROMISED; AND HOW THE LORD REVEALED TO
THE SAINT THAT HEAVEN WOULD BE HIS PORTION WHEN HE LEFT THIS WORLD
St Francis at one time being grievously
tormented with a disease in his eyes, the Cardinal Ugolino, protector of his
Order, who loved him dearly, wrote to him to come to Rieti, where there were
excellent oculists. St Francis, having received the Cardinal’s letter, set
off first to San Damiano, where was Sister Clare, the devout spouse of
Christ, to give her some spiritual consolation, intending afterwards to go
on to the Cardinal. On arriving at San Damiano, the following night his eyes
grew so much worse that he could not see the light, and was obliged to give
up going any further. Then Sister Clare made him a little cell of reeds, in
order that he might repose the better; but St Francis, owing partly to the
pain he suffered, and partly to the multitude of rats, which much annoyed
him, could rest neither day or night. After suffering for several days this
pain and tribulation, he began to think that it was sent to him by God as a
punishment for his sins, and he thanked the Lord in his heart and with his
lips, crying out with a loud voice: “My God, I am worthy of this, and even
worse. My Lord Jesus Christ, thou Good Shepherd, who hast shown thy mercy to
us poor sinners in the various bodily pains and sufferings it pleaseth thee
to send us; grant to me, thy little lamb, that no pain, however great, no
infirmity nor anguish, shall ever separate me from thee.” Having made this
prayer, a voice came from heaven, which said: “Francis, if all the earth
were of gold, if all the seas and all the fountains and all the rivers were
of balm, if all mountains, all hills, and all rocks were made of precious
stones, and if thou couldst find a treasure as much more precious again as
gold is more precious than earth, and balm than water, and gems than
mountains and rocks, if that precious treasure were offered to thee in the
place of thy infirmity, wouldst thou not rejoice and be content?” St Francis
answered: “Lord, I am unworthy of such a treasure.” And the voice of God
said again: “Rejoice with all thy heart, Francis, for such a treasure is
life eternal, which I have in keeping for thee, and even now promise to
thee; and this thine infirmity and affliction is a pledge of that blessed
treasure.” Then was St Francis filled with joy at so glorious a promise; and
calling his companion, he said to him: “Let us go to the Cardinal.” He
humbly took leave of Sister Clare, after having comforted her with holy
words, and took the road to Rieti. When he approached the town, such a
multitude came out to meet him, that he would not go into the city, but went
to a church which was about two miles of. But the people, hearing where he
was gone, went thither to see him; so that the vine which surrounded the
church was greatly injured, and all the grapes were gathered; at which the
priest, to whom it belonged, was very grieved in his heart, and repented of
having received St Francis in his church. The thought of the priest being
revealed to the saint, he called him to him and said: “Dearest father, tell
me, how many measures of wine does this vine produce when the year is a
fertile one?” He answered: “Twelve measures.” Then said St Francis: “I pray
thee, father, have patience and endure my presence here a few days longer,
as I find great rest in this church; and, for the love of God and of me his
poor servant, let the people gather the grapes off thy vine; for I promise
thee, in the name of my Saviour Jesus Christ, that it shall produce every
year twenty measures of wine.” And St Francis remained there for the benefit
of the souls of all who went to see him, for many went away filled with
divine love, and gave up the world. The priest, having faith in the promise
of St Francis, left the vineyard open to all those who came to see him. And,
wonder of wonders! although the vine was entirely ruined, so that there
scarcely remained, here and there, a few small bunches of grapes, when the
time of vintage arrived, the priest gathered the few bunches which were
left, and put them into the winepress; and according to the promise of St
Francis, these few little bunches did not fail to produce twenty measures of
excellent wine. This miracle teaches us that as, in consequence of the
merits of St Francis, the vine, though despoiled of its grapes, produced an
abundance of wine, so in the same way many Christians, whose sins had made
them barren of virtue, through the saint’s preaching and merits, have often
come to abound in the good fruit of repentance.
CHAPTER XX
OF A BEAUTIFUL VISION WHICH APPEARED TO A
YOUNG MAN WHO HATED THE HABIT OF ST FRANCIS SO GREATLY, THAT HE WAS ON THE
POINT OF LEAVING THE ORDER
A young man, of noble birth, and of delicate
habits, who had entered the Order of St Francis, was seized after a few
days, through the devil,s suggestions, with a violent dislike of the habit
that he wore: he hated the shape of the sleeves; he felt a horror for the
hood, for the length of the dress, and the coarseness of the material; so
that it seemed to him as if he carried about him an insupportable weight;
and, disliking the Order more and more, he determined to leave it and return
to the world. It was the custom of this young man, at whatever hour he
passed before the altar in the convent at which the Blessed Sacrament was
reserved, to kneel down with great respect and, covering his head with his
hood and crossing his arms on his breast, to prostrate himself, as he had
been taught to do by the master of novices. It so happened, that the night
when he had made up his mind to leave the convent, he passed before the
altar, and, kneeling down as he was wont to do, he prostrated himself to the
ground, and, being ravished in spirit, the Lord sent him a most wonderful
vision. He saw before him a great multitude of saints ranged in procession,
two by two, clothed in vestments made of precious material: their faces and
their hands shone like the sun; they sang, as they walked, to the sound of
celestial music. Two of them were more nobly and more richly dressed than
the rest, and surrounded by such a blaze of light that none could look on
them without being dazzled. At the end of the procession was one so
gloriously adorned, that he seemed, like a new knight, to be more favoured
than the others. Now the young man, seeing such a beautiful procession, was
struck with wonder; but although he could not guess the meaning of the
vision, he dared not ask, and seemed struck dumb with amazement. When the
procession had almost passed away, he took courage, and addressing himself
to those who were in the rear, he said: “O beloved, I pray you tell me who
are those wonderful beings who form this venerable procession.” They
answered: “Know, my son, that we are all Friars Minor, who are come from the
glories of Paradise; and those two who shine forth brighter than the rest,
are St Francis and St Anthony; and the last one you saw so especially
honoured is a holy friar, lately dead, who having fought with courage
against temptation and having preserved to the end, we lead in triumph to
the glories of Paradise; and these splendid vestments which adorn us have
been given to us by God, in exchange for the coarse tunic we wore with so
much patience in religion; and the glorious light which shines upon us has
been given in reward for the humility, the holy poverty, the obedience, and
chastity that we observed to the end of our lives. Now, my son, do not find
the robe of religion too rough to wear; for if, clothed in the sackcloth of
St Francis, and out of love to Christ, thou dost despise the world,
mortifying thy flesh, and fighting valiantly against the devil, thou too
shalt receive these splendid vestments, and shine with this glorious light.”
On hearing these words the young man came to his senses, and feeling himself
much strengthened, he put far from him all temptation to leave the Order,
confessed his sin to the guardian and to the brethren, and from that moment
dearly loved the course vestment of St Francis and the severity of penance,
and at length ended his life in the Order in a state of great sanctity.
CHAPTER XXI
OF THE MOST HOLY MIRACLE OF ST FRANCIS
IN TAMING THE FIERCE WOLF OF GUBBIO
At the time when St Francis was living in the
city of Gubbio, a large wolf appeared in the neighbourhood, so terrible and
so fierce, that he not only devoured other animals, but made a prey of men
also; and since he often approached the town, all the people were in great
alarm, and used to go about armed, as if going to battle. Notwithstanding
these precautions, if any of the inhabitants ever met him alone, he was sure
to be devoured, as all defence was useless: and, through fear of the wolf,
they dared not go beyond the city walls. St Francis, feeling great
compassion for the people of Gubbio, resolved to go and meet the wolf,
though all advised him not to do so. Making the sign of the holy cross, and
putting all his confidence in God, he went forth from the city, taking his
brethren with him; but these fearing to go any further, St Francis bent his
steps alone toward the spot where the wolf was known to be, while many
people followed at a distance, and witnessed the miracle. The wolf, seeing
all this multitude, ran towards St Francis with his jaws wide open. As he
approached, the saint, making the sign of the cross, cried out: “Come
hither, brother wolf; I command thee, in the name of Christ, neither to harm
me nor anybody else.” Marvellous to tell, no sooner had St Francis made the
sign of the cross, than the terrible wolf, closing his jaws, stopped
running, and coming up to St Francis, lay down at his feet as meekly as a
lamb. And the saint thus addressed him: “Brother wolf, thou hast done much
evil in this land, destroying and killing the creatures of God without his
permission; yea, not animals only hast thou destroyed, but thou hast even
dared to devour men, made after the image of God; for which thing thou art
worthy of being hanged like a robber and a murderer. All men cry out against
thee, the dogs pursue thee, and all the inhabitants of this city are thy
enemies; but I will make peace between them and thee, O brother wolf, is so
be thou no more offend them, and they shall forgive thee all thy past
offences, and neither men nor dogs shall pursue thee any more.” Having
listened to these words, the wolf bowed his head, and, by the movements of
his body, his tail, and his eyes, made signs that he agreed to what St
Francis said. On this St Francis added: “As thou art willing to make this
peace, I promise thee that thou shalt be fed every day by the inhabitants of
this land so long as thou shalt live among them; thou shalt no longer suffer
hunger, as it is hunger which has made thee do so much evil; but if I obtain
all this for thee, thou must promise, on thy side, never again to attack any
animal or any human being; dost thou make this promise?” Then the wolf,
bowing his head, made a sign that he consented. Said St Francis again:
“Brother wolf, wilt thou pledge thy faith that I may trust to this thy
promise?” and putting out his hand he received the pledge of the wolf; for
the latter lifted up his paw and placed it familiarly in the hand of St
Francis, giving him thereby the only pledge which was in his power. Then
said St Francis, addressing him again: “Brother wolf, I command thee, in the
name of Christ, to follow me immediately, without hesitation or doubting,
that we may go together to ratify this peace which we have concluded in the
name of God”; and the wolf, obeying him, walked by his side as meekly as a
lamb, to the great astonishment of all the people. Now, the news of this
most wonderful miracle spreading quickly through the town, all the
inhabitants, both men and women, small and great, young and old, flocked to
the market-place to see St Francis and the wolf. All the people being
assembled, the saint got up to preach, saying, amongst other things, how for
our sins God permits such calamities, and how much greater and more
dangerous are the flames of hell, which last for ever, than the rage of a
wolf, which can kill the body only; and how much we ought to dread the jaws
of hell, if the jaws of so small an animal as a wolf can make a whole city
tremble through fear. The sermon being ended, St Francis added these words:
“Listen my brethren: the wolf who is here before you has promised and
pledged his faith that he consents to make peace with you all, and no more
to offend you in aught, and you must promise to give him each day his
necessary food; to which, if you consent, I promise in his name that he will
most faithfully observe the compact.” Then all the people promised with one
voice to feed the wolf to the end of his days; and St Francis, addressing
the latter, said again: “And thou, brother wolf, dost thou promise to keep
the compact, and never again to offend either man or beast, or any other
creature?” And the wolf knelt down, bowing his head, and, by the motions of
his tail and of his ears, endeavoured to show that he was willing, so far s
was in his power, to hold to the compact. Then St Francis continued:
“Brother wolf, as thou gavest me a pledge of this thy promise when we were
outside the town, so now I will that thou renew it in the sight of all this
people, and assure me that I have done well to promise in thy name”; and the
wolf lifting up his paw placed it in the hand of St Francis. Now this event
caused great joy in all the people, and a great devotion towards St Francis,
both because of the novelty of the miracle, and because of the peace which
had been concluded with the wolf; and they lifted up their voices to heaven,
praising and blessing God, who had sent them St Francis, through whose
merits they had been delivered from such a savage beast. The wolf lived two
years at Gubbio; he went familiarly from door to door without harming
anyone, and all the people received him courteously, feeding him with great
pleasure, and no dog barked at him as he went about. At last, after two
years, he died of old age, and the people of Gubbio mourned his loss
greatly; for when they saw him going about so gently amongst them all, he
reminded them of the virtue and sanctity of St Francis.
CHAPTER XXII
HOW ST FRANCIS TAMED THE WILD DOVES
A certain young man having caught one day a
great number of doves, as he was to sell them he met St Francis, who always
felt a great compassion for such gentle animals; and, looking at the doves
with eyes of pity, he said to the young man: “O good man, I entreat thee to
give me those harmless birds, emblems in Scripture of humble, pure, and
faithful souls, so that they may not fall into cruel hands, which would put
them to death.” And the young man, inspired by God, immediately gave them to
St Francis, who, placing them in his bosom, addressed them thus sweetly: “O
my little sisters the doves, so simple, so innocent, and so chaste, why did
you allow yourselves to be caught? I will save you from death, and make your
nests, that you may increase and multiply, according to the command of God.”
Then St Francis made nests for them all, and they began to lay their eggs
and hatch them in presence of the brethren, and were as familiar and as tame
with St Francis and the friars as if they had been hens brought up amongst
them, nor did they ever go away until St Francis had given them his
blessing. Then said St Francis to the young man who had given them to him:
“My son, thou shalt become a friar in this Order; and shalt serve most
fervently the Lord Jesus Christ”; and so it came to pass, for the young man
became a friar, and lived in the Order in great holiness.
CHAPTER XXIII
HOW ST FRANCIS DELIVERED THE BROTHER
WHO, BEING IN SIN, HAD FALLEN INTO THE POWER OF THE DEVIL
St Francis, being one day in prayer in the
Convent of the Portiuncula, saw, by the revelation of God, that all the
convent was surrounded and besieged by devils, as by a great army; but none
could penetrate into the convent, because the brothers were so holy that the
demons could not enter into any of them. They remained, however, on the
watch, until one day a certain brother being offended by another, thought in
his heart how he could accuse and do him harm. Having yielded to this evil
thought, the devil, seeing a way open to him, entered the convent and took
possession of the brother. On this St Francis, like a vigilant pastor, ever
watching over his flock, seeing the brother, and commanded him to confess
immediately the hatred he had nourished in his heart towards his neighbour,
which had caused him to fall into the power of the enemy. The brother, much
alarmed, and seeing that his saintly father had penetrated into his deepest
thoughts, confessed the evil feeling which had entered into his heart, and
humbly asked pardon and penance. When he had done this, and being absolved
of his sin had accepted his penance, St Francis beheld the devil to flee
away; and the brother, being freed from such a cruel monster through the
charity of his good shepherd, thanked God, and returned to the little flock
of the saintly pastor corrected and strengthened, and lived afterwards in
great sanctity.
CHAPTER XXIV
HOW ST FRANCIS CONVERTED TO THE FAITH
THE SULTAN OF BABYLON
St Francis, urged by zeal for the faith of
Christ and by a wish to suffer martyrdom, took with him one day twelve of
his most holy brethren, and went beyond the sea with the intention of going
straight to the Sultan of Babylon. They arrived in a province belonging to
the Saracens, where all the passes were guarded by men so cruel, that no
Christian who passed that way could escape being put to death. Now it
pleased God that St Francis and his companions should not meet with the same
fate; but they were taken prisoners, and after being bound and ill-treated,
were led before the Sultan. Then St Francis standing before him, inspired by
the Holy Spirit, preached most divinely the faith of Christ; and to prove
the truth of what he said, professed himself ready to enter into the fire.
Now the Sultan began to feel a great devotion towards him, both because of
the constancy of his faith, and because he despised the things of this world
(for he had refused to accept any of the presents which he had offered to
him), and also because of his ardent wish to suffer martyrdom. From that
moment he listened to him willingly, and begged him to come back often,
giving both him and his companions leave to preach wheresoever they pleased;
he likewise gave them a token of his protection, which would preserve them
from all molestation.
At length St Francis, seeing he could do no
more good in those parts, was warned by God to return with his brethren to
the land of the faithful. Having assembled his companions, they went
together to the Sultan to take leave of him. The Sultan said to him:
“Brother Francis, most willingly would I be converted to the faith of
Christ; but I fear to do so now, for if the people knew it, they would kill
both me and thee and all thy companions. As thou mayest still do much good,
and I have certain affairs of great importance to conclude, I will not at
present be the cause of thy death and of mine. But teach me how I can be
saved, and I am ready to do as thou shalt order.” On this St Francis made
answer: “My lord, I will take leave of thee for the present; but after I
have returned to my own country, when I shall be dead and gone to heaven, by
the grace of God, I will send thee two of my friars, who will administer to
thee the holy baptism of Christ, and thou shalt be saved, as the Lord Jesus
has revealed to me; and thou in the meantime shalt free thyself from every
hindrance, so that, when the grace of God arrives, thou mayest be found well
disposed to faith and devotion.” The Sultan promised so to do; and did as he
had promised. Then St Francis returned with his company of venerable and
saintly brethren, and after a few years ending his mortal life, he gave up
his soul to God. The Sultan, having fallen ill, awaited the fulfillment of
the promise of St Francis, and placed guards in all the passes, ordering
them if they met two brothers in the habit of St Francis to conduct them
immediately to him. At the same time St Francis appeared to two of his
friars, and ordered them without delay to go to the Sultan and save his
soul, according to the promise he had made him. The two set out, and having
crossed the sea, were conducted to the Sultan by the guards he had sent out
to meet them. The Sultan, when he saw them arrive, rejoiced greatly, and
exclaimed: “Now I know of a truth that God has sent his servants to save my
soul, according to the promise which St Francis made me through divine
revelation.” Having received the faith of Christ and holy baptism from the
said friars, he was regenerated in the Lord Jesus Christ; and having died of
his disease, his soul was saved, through the merits and prayers of St
Francis.
CHAPTER XXV
HOW ST FRANCIS HEALED MIRACULOUSLY A
LEPER BOTH IN HIS BODY AND IN HIS SOUL, AND WHAT THE SOUL SAID TO HIM ON
GOING UP TO HEAVEN
The true disciple of Christ, St Francis, as
long as he lived in this miserable life, endeavoured with all his might to
follow the example of Christ the perfect Master; whence it happened often,
through the operation of grace, that he healed the soul at the same time as
the body, as we read of Jesus Christ himself; and not only did he willingly
serve the lepers himself, but he willed that all the brethren of his Order,
both when they were travelling about the world and when they were halting on
their way, should serve the lepers for the love of Christ, who for our sake
was willing to be treated as a leper. It happened once, that in a convent
near the one in which St Francis then resided there was a hospital for
leprosy and other infirmities, served by the brethren; and one of the
patients was a leper so impatient, so insupportable, and so insolent, that
many believed of a certainty that he was possessed of the devil (as indeed
he was) for he ill-treated with blows and words all those who served him;
and, what was worse, he blasphemed so dreadfully our Blessed Lord and his
most holy Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary, that none was found who could or
would serve him. The brethren, indeed, to gain merit, endeavoured to accept
with patience the injuries and violences committed against themselves, but
their consciences would not allow them to submit to those addressed to
Christ and to his Mother, wherefore they determined to abandon this leper,
but this they would not do until they had signified their intention to St
Francis, according to the Rule. On learning this, St Francis, who was not
far distant, himself visited this perverse leper, and said to him: “May God
give thee peace, my beloved brother!” To this the leper answered: “What
peace can I look for from God, who has taken from me peace and every other
blessing, and made me a putrid and disgusting object?” St Francis answered:
“My son, be patient; for the infirmities of the body are given by God in
this world for the salvation of the soul in the next; there is great merit
in them when they are patiently endured.” The sick man answered: “How can I
bear patiently the pain which afflicts me night and day? For not only am I
greatly afflicted by my infirmity, but the friars thou hast sent to serve me
make it even worse, for they do not serve me as they ought.” Then St
Francis, knowing through divine revelation that the leper was possessed by
the malignant spirit, began to pray, interceding most earnestly for him.
Having finished his prayer, he returned to the leper and said to him: “My
son, I myself will serve thee, seeing thou art not satisfied with the
others.” “Willingly,” answered the leper; “but what canst thou do more than
they have done?” “Whatsoever thou wishest I will do for thee,” answered St
Francis. “I will then,” said he, “that thou wash me all over; for I am so
disgusting that I cannot bear myself.” Then St Francis heated some water,
putting therein many odoriferous herbs; he then undressed him, and began to
wash him with his own hands, whilst another brother threw the water upon
him, and, by a divine miracle, wherever St Francis touched him with his holy
hands the leprosy disappeared, and his flesh was perfectly healed also. On
this the leper, seeing his leprosy beginning to vanish, felt great sorrow
and repentance for his sins, and began to weep bitterly. While his body was
being purified externally of the leprosy through the cleansing of the water,
so his soul internally was purified from sin by the washing of tears and
repentance; and feeling himself completely healed both in his body and his
soul, he humbly confessed his sins, crying out in a loud voice, with many
tears: “Unhappy me! I am worthy of hell for the wickedness of my conduct to
the brethren, and the impatience and blasphemy I have uttered against the
Lord”; and for fifteen days he ceased not to weep bitterly for his sins,
imploring the Lord to have mercy on him, and them made a general confession
to a priest. St Francis, perceiving this evident miracle which the Lord had
enabled him to work, returned thanks to God, and set out for a distant
country; for out of humility he wished to avoid all glory, and in all his
actions he sought only the glory of God, and not his own. It pleased God
that the leper, who had been healed both in his body and in his soul, after
having done penance for fifteen days, should fall ill of another infirmity;
and having received the sacraments of the Church, he died a most holy death.
His soul on its way to heaven appeared in the air to St Francis, who was
praying in a forest, and said to him: “Dost thou know me?” “Who art thou?”
asked the saint. Said he: “I am that leper whom our Blessed Lord healed
through thy merits, and to-day I am going to life eternal, for which I
return thanks to God and to thee. Blessed by thy soul and thy body, blessed
by thy holy words and works, for through thee many souls are saved in the
world; and know that there is not a single day in which the angels and other
saints do not return thanks to God for the holy fruits of thy preaching and
that of thy Order in various parts of the world. Be comforted, then, and
thank the Lord, and may his blessing rest on thee.” Having said these words,
he went up to heaven, leaving St Francis much consoled.
CHAPTER XXVI
HOW ST FRANCIS CONVERTED CERTAIN
ROBBERS AND ASSASSINS, WHO BECAME FRIARS; AND OF A WONDERFUL VISION WHICH
APPEARED TO ONE OF THEM WHO WAS A MOST HOLY BROTHER
As St Francis went one day through the desert
of Borgo di San Sepolcro, and was passing by a castle called Monte Casale,
he saw a young man of noble mien, and elegant in appearance, coming towards
him, who thus addressed him: “Father, I would willingly be one of thy
monks.” St Francis answered: “My son, thou art young, noble, and delicate;
perhaps thou wouldst not be able to endure poverty and hardships.” The young
man said again: “Father, are you not men, like me? If you, then, can support
these things, through the grace of God I shall be able to do so likewise.”
This answer greatly pleased St Francis, and giving the young man his
blessing, he received him immediately into the Order, and gave him the name
of Brother Angelo. And this young man was so remarkable and so
distinguished, that shortly after he was named Guardian of the Convent of
Monte Casale. At that time there were three famous robbers in that part of
the country, who did much evil in all the neighbourhood. Coming one day to
the said convent, they asked Brother Angelo, the guardian, to give them
something to eat. The guardian, reproving them harshly, answered thus:
“Cruel robbers and murderers, you are not ashamed to deprive others of the
fruits of their labours, and you have the audacity to come here and devour
that which is given in charity to the servants of God - you who are not
worthy of the earth which bears you, for you neither respect man nor the
Lord who made you. Go about your business, and do not appear here again.”
Then the robbers went away in anger, much troubled by these words. Shortly
after, St Francis arrived at the convent with a sack of bread and a little
vessel of wine, which he and his companion had begged; and the guardian
related to him how he had sent away the robbers. On this St Francis reproved
him sharply, saying that he had behaved most cruelly, for sinners are
brought back to God more easily by kindness than by harsh words.
“Wherefore,” said he, “our Master Jesus Christ, whose Word we have promised
to observe, says that the whole need not a physician, but they that are
sick, and that he came not to call the just, but sinners, to repentance; for
which reason he often sat down to meat with them. As, then, thou hast acted
against charity, and against the Gospel of Christ, I command thee, in the
name of holy obedience, to take with thee this sack of bread, which I have
begged, and this little vessel of wine, and go after the robbers, over the
hills and across the valleys, until thou meet with them. And when thou hast
found them, give them from me this bread and wine; and then, kneeling down
before them, thou shalt humbly confess thy fault, begging them, in my name,
not to do evil any more, but to fear God and never again offend him. If they
consent to this, I promise to provide for all their wants, and to give them
continually both meat and drink; and when thou hast told them this, thou
shalt humbly come back here.” Whilst the guardian went on the errand of St
Francis, the latter began to pray, asking God to touch the hearts of the
robbers and bring them to repentance. The obedient guardian, having found
out their retreat, presented to them the bread and wine, and said and did
what St Francis had commanded; and it pleased God that as the robbers ate
the bread of charity which St Francis had sent them, they reasoned thus
among themselves; “Alas for us, miserable men that we are! What pains await
us in hell; for not only have we robbed, beaten and wounded our neighbours,
but we have likewise taken away their lives, and yet for all these cruel
deeds we feel no remorse of conscience, and no fear of God! and behold this
holy friar who is come to us, for a few unkind words, which we merited most
justly, has humbly confessed that he was wrong, and has brought us likewise
bread and wine, with a most gracious promise from the holy St Francis. These
men indeed are holy religious of God who merit his Paradise, and we are sons
of perdition, worthy of the pains of hell; and each day we add to our
perdition, and we know not whether yet, because of our sins we have
committed hitherto, we can find mercy in the sight of God.” One of them
having spoken thus, the other two answered, saying: “Most certainly thou
speakest truly; but what are we to do?” “Let us go,” said one of the others,
“to St Francis; and if he gives us a hope that our sins may find mercy in
the sight of God, we will do what he shall command us to save our souls from
the punishment of hell.” This counsel pleasing the others, they agreed to go
immediately to St Francis; and having found him, they thus addressed him:
“Father, because of the multitude of our sins we dare not look for mercy
from God; but if thou hast a hope that he may have pity on us, we are ready
to do what thou shalt order, and do penance for our sins with thee.” Then St
Francis bade them stay, and with much kindness and charity comforted them,
giving them many proofs of the mercy of God, and promising them to ask the
Lord to have pity on their sins. He told them that his mercy knows no
bounds, and that were their sins without number the mercy of God is even
greater, according to the word of the Gospel and of the Apostle St Paul, who
says our Blessed Lord came into the world to
save sinners. The three robbers on hearing these words resolved to
renounce the devil and his works; and St Francis received them into the
Order, in which they did great penance. Two of them died shortly after their
conversion, and went to heaven; but the third survived, and, reflecting on
his sins, he did penance during fifteen years. Besides the ordinary fasts
which he observed with the brethren, he fasted at other times three days in
the week on bread and water, went barefooted, wore no other vestment but his
tunic, and never slept after Matins. During this time St Francis passed from
this miserable life. The converted robber having continued to do penance for
many years, it so happened that one night, after Matins, he was visited by
such a strong temptation to sleep, that he could neither pray nor watch
according to his custom. At last, finding it impossible to resist any
longer, he threw himself on his bed to sleep. No sooner had he laid down his
head than he was rapt in spirit and led up into a very high mountain, on the
side of which was a deep precipice bordered with sharp stones and large
rocks all broken to pieces, so that the precipice was frightful to look at;
and the angel who conducted the brother pushed him with such violence, that
he fell into the abyss, and rolling down from stone to stone and from rock
to rock, he reached the bottom shattered all to pieces, as it seemed to him.
As he lay on the ground in this pitiable condition, the angel said to him:
“Arise, for thou hast a much longer journey to take.” And the brother
answered: “Thou art both cruel and unreasonable. Thou seest that I am about
to die from my fall, which has shattered me all to pieces, and thou tellest
me to arise.” On this the angel, coming near him, touched him, healing all
his wounds. He then showed him an immense plain, full of sharp and pointed
stones, covered with thorns and brambles, and told him that he was to run
all over the plain, and cross it barefooted till he reached the other end,
where was a burning furnace, which he was to enter. And the brother having
crossed the plain with great pain and suffering, the angel ordered him to
enter the furnace, as it was meet for him to do. The brother exclaimed:
“Alas, what a cruel guide thou art! Thou seest that I am nearly dead, having
crossed this horrible plain; and to rest me thou commandest me to enter this
burning furnace”; and looking up, he saw all around many demons with iron
pitchforks in their hands; and as he hesitated to obey the angel, they
pushed him into the furnace. When he was in the furnace, he looked around
and saw one who had formerly been his companion burning all over from head
to foot; and he said to him: “O my unhappy companion, how camest thou here?”
And he answered: “Go a little farther, and thou shalt find my wife; she will
tell thee why we are damned.” Then the brother, going a little farther, saw
the said woman surrounded with flames; and he said to her: “O unfortunate
and miserable woman, why are thou condemned to suffer such a cruel torment?”
“Because,” she answered, “at the time of the great famine which St Francis
had foretold, my husband and I cheated the people, and sold them wheat and
oats in a false measure. It is for this that I am condemned to burn in this
dreadful place.” Having heard these words, the angel who conducted the
brother drew him out of the furnace, and said to him: “Prepare thyself now
for a very horrible journey.” Then the brother answered him sorrowfully: “O
cruel guide, thou hast no compassion on me. Thou seest how I am almost burnt
to death in this furnace, and thou preparest for me another horrible and
dangerous journey.” Then the angel touching him, he became whole and strong;
after which he led him to a bridge, which it was impossible to pass without
great danger, for it was slightly built, very narrow, and very slippery,
without any parapets, while underneath there flowed a terrible river full of
serpents, scorpions and dragons, which produced a great stench. Then said
the angel to him: “Go over the bridge, as by all means thou must cross it.”
And the brother answered: “How can I cross it without falling into that
dangerous river?” The angel said to him: “Follow me, and place thy foot
where thou shalt see me place mine, and thou shalt cross it safely.” Then
the brother walked behind the angel as he had ordered him, and reached the
middle of the bridge, when suddenly the angel flew away, and leaving the
brother, went on to a very high mountain at a great distance from the
bridge. When the brother saw whither the angel had flown, being without his
guide and looking down, he saw all those terrible animals with their heads
out of the water, and their mouths open ready to devour him, if he were to
fall into the river; and he trembled much with fear, not knowing what to do
or what to say, as he could neither go back nor go forward. Seeing himself
in such tribulation, and having no refuge but in God, he bent down, and
clinging to the bridge, with all his heart and with many tears he
recommended himself to the Lord, praying him to have mercy on him. Having
finished his prayer, it seemed to him as if wings were growing out of his
back, and he waited with great joy till they should be large enough to
enable him to fly away from the bridge, and go to the spot whither the angel
had flown. After waiting a little time, his impatience to leave the bridge
became so great that he tried to fly; but his wings not having reached their
growth, he fell on the bridge, and the feathers came off; upon which he
clung again to the bridge, as he had done before, and recommended himself to
God. Having finished his prayer, it seemed to him as if the wings were
growing again; but losing patience a second time, he tried to fly before the
wings were fully grown, and falling down on the bridge as before, the
feathers came off. And seeing that it was his impatience to fly away which
made him fall down thus, he said within himself: “If my wings begin to grow
a third time, I will most certainly wait until they are large enough to
enable me to fly away without falling.” And having come to this decision, he
saw the wings begin to grow for the third time, and waited so long that they
might attain their growth, that it seemed to him as if more than a hundred
and fifty years had elapsed between the first growth of his wings and the
third. At last he arose for the third time, and exerting all his strength,
he flew up to the spot whither the angel had flown before him; and knocking
at the gate of the place into which he had entered, the porter asked of him
who he was and whence he came. To this he answered: “I am one of the Friars
Minor.” The porter said to him: “Wait a little whilst I go and fetch St
Francis, to see if he knows thee.” While the porter was gone to fetch St
Francis, the brother began to examine the wonderful walls of the palace
which appeared so luminous and so transparent, that he could see through
them the choirs of saints, and what they were doing. As he was struck with
wonder at this sight, St Francis came towards him, with Brother Bernard and
Brother Giles, followed by a great multitude of saints, both men and women,
who had followed him in life, and they appeared to be innume
