IN THE FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION

REVISED AND EMENDED BY DOM

ROGER HUDLESTON WITH

AN INTRODUCTION BY

ARTHUR LIVINGSTON

THE HERITAGE PRESS

NEW YORK
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INTRODUCTION
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I

The first English translation of the Fioretti di Santo Francesco d’ Ascesi,
that of Lady Georgina Fullerton, appeared in the year 1864; and the first
American translation, that by Abby Langdon Alger, was published in the year
1887. This is a good four centuries after the princeps edition of the
Fioretti (Vicenza, 1476), and a half century after the “standard” Italian
edition by Antonio Cesari (Verona, 1822). The tardiness of Anglo-Saxon
recognition of this, one of the raciest, most spirited, and most beloved of
the Italian classics is not to be grasped out of hand. Religious
considerations, obvious as they might seem could not account for the
indifference of the fathers of English printing. Once published, moreover,
the Fioretti made their way in their own right. The present century has
witnessed numerous other translations in England and America and dozens of
reprintings in America alone. I suspect, rather, that it was a strange case
of editorial oversight, a nugget of gold that was there for anyone, yet was
for centuries overlooked. The title may have had something to do with it.
The phrase “Little Flowers” has, in English, a vague aroma of sentiment and
propaganda, and by virtue of the diminutive it has acquired a similar flavor
even in Italian. Suppose this collection of tales had been called the
“Franciscan Anthology”, a title at once more exact and more majestic in its
associations? Or suppose, somewhat facetiously, but still within its spirit,
it had been known as the “Selected Miracles of Saint Francis and his
Brethren”? The story as regards the English-speaking would might, I believe,
have been different.

I have called the Fioretti “tales”; and tales they are, fixed upon Saint
Francis and his earliest disciples in the way in which legend accumulates
about any celebrated character in history. But, in this case, and in
contrast with the situation that usually prevails in folklore, the
“stories” have a certain authority as history. One hundred years of
Franciscan scholarship enable us even to evaluate the authenticity of the
Little Flowers.

Saint Francis died in 1226. But his amanuensis, secretary, and confessor,
his beloved brother Leo (who is quoted extensively in the Little Flowers),
lived on till the year 1271. The Friar, Giovanni dalla Penna, one of the
early missionaries of the Order in Germany, and another of the sources, did
not die till 1274. In the year 1257 had come the great crisis in the
Franciscan Order, whereby the Church, frowning darkly on an orgy of
religious “revival” which enabled humble, ignorant and sometimes stuttering
peasants to talk with God in His Three Persons sicut amicus cum amico, had
given a more ecclesiastical temper to the Franciscan “Rule”, and aimed at
representing mystical and miracle-working activity among the friars. This
debate was conducted bitterly and with some show of force. John of Parma,
leader of the “zealots” and Saint Bonaventura’s predecessor as General of
the Order, stood, at one moment (1257), condemned to imprisonment for life.

Already two conceptions of Saint Francis himself were current in the Order;
and his biography was being recounted in different ways. Eventually Saint
Bonaventura was to write the “official” biography, and to make it more
“official” still by burning, so far as he could lay hands on them, all
conflicting accounts of the Saint’s life. Meantime, one thing is clear: the
party “of good sense” was having many harsh things to say of those
extremists who courted public ridicule for the benefit of their souls by
preaching naked in the church pulpits, changing capon’s drumsticks into
nectarines, and doing other things disquieting to a theology which liked
miracles in the principle but was inhospitable toward them in the fact. The
harsh words hurt. They hurt directly men who had seen God walking in person
among the hills of Umbria and believed He had rebegotten His Only Begotten
in the guise of a lad of that humble countryside.

That was why, perhaps as early as the year 1250, and not much later than the
year 1261, a monk of the March of Ancona, friend to the missionary, Giovanni
dalla Penna, and know, or rather unknown,, as Ugolino of Montegiorgio, began
writing his Floretum, or “garden of flowers”, the flores being simply
“notabilia”, or “more noteworthy things”, things omitted from the formal
biographies of the Saint, and the omission of which distorted and
misrepresented, as old-timers knew, the spirit and the fact of those
glorious days when the Saint was still on earth.

The Floretum of Ugolino of Montegiorgio, in the form in which that devoted
monk composed it, has been lost to the world, though a copy of it seems to
have been extant as late as 1623, when Wadding, the great Franciscan
annalist, was writing his history of the Order in the Convent of Saint
Isidore in Rome. Just what it contained is not known with certainty. Its
text has to be reconstructed by inference from the numerous re-workings of
it made at later times. The direct re-workings – they are substantial
enlargements – are two in number: one, the Actus beati Francisci et sociorum
cius, of which the earliest surviving trace is a mention in a catalogue of a
convent in Assisi, dated 1381; and the other, the Fioretti themselves, of
which the earliest known manuscripts date from 1390 (Berlin) and 1396
(Florence) respectively. Though the Actus and the Fioretti, as we know them
at present, stand in such close relation that they could be word for word
translations one of the other, the Actus contain twenty-two chapters not
appearing in the Fioretti, and the Fioretti six chapters not appearing in
the Actus. It seems necessary to suppose that they derive from some
previous, and undiscovered, source, more comprehensive than either of them.
Of this unknown anthology of Franciscan miracles something nevertheless may
be said. While the Floretum of Ugolino did not extend beyond the year 1261,
the source of the Actus-Fioretti dealt with episodes occurring late in 1322;
and its compiler knew Ugolino personally and probably utilized other
writings of Ugolino, which the latter had not exploited in the Floretum.
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II

As it natural with a collection of wonder-stories, that same tendency to
growth which is manifest in the Actus-Fioretti as compared with the
re-constructed Floretum, is just as apparent in the history of the Fioretti
themselves. Two themes in particular were provocative of such developments:
on the one hand the life of Saint Francis, which moved copyists of the
Fioretti to supplement their deficiencies as a biography with additions from
other sources; the other, the parallelism between Saint Francis and Jesus,
which was always challenging the ingenuity of the devout. These similitudes
in the Fioretti are, with characteristic humility, three; Bartolommeo
Pisano, by the end of the fourteenth century, increased them to forty; while
Pedro Astorga, a Spanish monk of the seventeenth century, who wrote with all
the characteristic vim of the Decadence, raised the number to four thousand.
Meantime there was a tendency to make the Fioretti an archive of all
Franciscan miracles – even at an early day those of Saint Anthony of Padua
began creeping in. That I briskness, that contagious chuckle, which is
hidden in every paragraph of the fresh and vigorous Tuscan original of the
Fioretti was not long in producing additions in the spirit of broad humor.
We are encroaching on this sphere in the familiar stories of Brother
Juniper. We are surely in an outright secular world in a fioretto which I
picked up in Tuscany in my own youth – the story of the Franciscan novice,
who, on climbing the blistering scorciatoie to his convent after the collect
of alms on a summer’s day, sets his bushel of chestnuts on the ground, wipes
his brow, and then reflects, with a etaphoric worthy of Brother Elias, and a
Tuscan crudeness worthy of Brother Ruffino: “What a sell, if there should be
no heaven!” (Che fre...a se il cielo non c’ e).

As regards, therefore, the many texts of the Fioretti, some of very ancient
authority, which circulate in the various editions, it may be necessary to
remember that, whatever the relation of the original of the Actus-Fioretti
to the Floretum, the Fioretti, proper, must have contained fifty-three
chapters, plus the five “considerations” on the Stigmata of Saint Francis.
This content, in fact, aside from internal evidence, is vouched for by
twenty-six manuscripts of the fifteenth century and some of the early
printed editions. Without entering into the question of the varied adjuncts
that were supplied at one time or another from one source or another, we may
note, simply, the derivations of those additions which were accepted, with
unsurpassed discernment and for their intrinsic merits of spirit or beauty,
by Father Cesari in his classic edition of the Fioretti (Verona, 1822). The
“evidences” of the Stigmata presented in our chapters LIV-LVIII were derived
early in the fifteenth century from the Tractatus de miraculous of Thomas of
Celano, the earliest biographer and a contemporary of the Saint. The
“life” of Brother Juniper comes from an early Latin manuscript (containing
also a “life” of Brother Giles), independent of the Actus-Fioretti, but
which had been accreted to the Fioretti also in the fifteenth century. The
“instructions and notable sayings of Brother Giles” are by a known
Florentine author, Feo Belcari, who died in 1484. Despite the several hands
that must have tinkered with the substance of the Fioretti before they
reached their more extensive forms, one would not go far amiss in
recognizing in a work of such surpassing literary charm the imprint of two
unusual personalities.

The one must be that unknown monk of Tuscany why translated these stories
(or compiled them, as the case may be) in such a sparkling and vivacious
Tuscan idiom, an idiom as simple, direct, and limpid as may be imagined, but
with an unfailing instinct for the enduring elements in a still future
Italian language, and an idiom, withal, that retains the full vigor and
picturesqueness of a peasant intelligence, wise in its worldly wisdom but
unspoiled by any involutions of culture.

The second must be that same Ugolino of Montegiorgio, who somehow managed to
condense into the pages of the old Floretum such a distillation of the pure
spirit of early Franciscanism as to strike a tone and establish a mood which
no later re-workings of his text could vitiate. In the sphere of fact, we
may say that through Ugolino, who borrowed from Jacopo dalla Massa, an
“eye-witness”, and from legends going back to Brother Leo, these stories
arrive at the very days of Saint Francis, without, for that matter,
attaining any very great amount of historical plausibility. But it is a case
where the truth of art transcends the truth of fact, and creates a verity
more real than science or scholarship could by themselves attain. To possess
the Fioretti is to re-live the early period of Franciscanism much as it was
lived by the friends and disciples of the Saint.

But, in this connection, one must raise a warning against reading the Little
Flowers with that long face of piety which is so easily put on in the
presence of any literature that has a sacred look. Such sentimentalism,
which blinds so many devout Christians to the art of the Bible for instance,
is a variance with the shrewd simplicity of this folk masterpiece of Central
Italy. What we have here, let us insist on the point, is humor; and one who
cannot – I will not say laugh – one who cannot smile, will have read the
Little Flowers in vain. I am not so sure that this smile did not, on
occasion, play about the lips of Brother Ugolino himself. The world of
humility, self-denial and “love” is one thing; and the world of
self-assertion and competition is another thing; and they are things so
antithetical to each other, in their perfection, that the wisdom of the one
is the lunacy of the other, and vice versa.

One need not and perhaps should not further analyse the motivation of the
smile, which is the smile the sophisticated must always have for the I. The
I is always humor because it tends to simplify the majestic and the complex,
making it mechanical, but at the same time more approachable and more
lovable. The smile cannot be a laugh. A tear lingers just behind it.

The artless art of Ugolino (if it be his) was pure art in the sense that it
presents concepts as image, each image replete with conceptual
suggestiveness. Saint Francis nibbling at his “second loaf”, in order not to
sin by presumption in etaphor the Lord’s fast of forty days; the Pope’s
curiosity to see Saint Clare make the Cross appear in the crust of her buns;
the two dialogues of the friars with their translated brethren; the Saint’s
long wrestling with the Devil; Satan’s revenge by causing a landslide with
the swish of his tail; the astonishment of the “ladies and the cavaliers” at
the holy spectacle of the first “Chapter”; Brother Bernard’s founding of the
Order at Bologna – the Fioretti are all scenes that could be painted (and
were painted, as legend asserts, by Giotto). As the pictures multiply, the
mood deepens in beauty and richness – and we must not forget to smile,
meantime; for the perfection of humility and Christian love which the friars
exemplify is attained by the most humble and direct of mechanical means. One
can well understand the ancient quarrel in the Order. These untutored
converts of Saint Francis were playing with a magic art, which evoked the
Devil when it was black, and constrained the appearance of the Divinity when
of brighter hue (XLIX).

There is little, if any, theology about these simple friars. Such questions
belonged to those who were lettered and knew people off in the big towns,
Rome, perhaps. They cared little about such things, having found in faith at
all times, and now and again in “rapture”, a direct access to the benign
powers. One feels a sort of regional secretiveness in this technique of
virtue, which also was practised in individual secretiveness, lest pride
success give Satan his chance. The sweetness of this child-like literalism
resides in part, I believe, in an absence of a note of spiritual
“arrivism”, or spiritual “climbing”, which one so minded can find even
offensive in a Dante or a Savonarola. These straightforward souls of the
brotherhood of Saint Francis wanted to keep out of Hell because it was hot,
and to get out of Purgatory because it was uncomfortable. Yet they, too,
like Jesus, visioned a love so great that willingly the least of them would
have accepted damnation so only the world might have been saved. If one seek
the moral theme in this early Franciscanism, one finds at least a morality
that is made always for oneself and not for other people. Here again on
earth were men who judged not, who loved the lost even more than the
virtuous, and the bandit as much as the cavalier.

It was, after all, a snug and cosy world, the world in which these early
Franciscans lived, a world personally supervised by its Creator, who walked
the earth as a man among men, and who loved His creatures with a parent’s
love, assisted in His care of them by His Son and His Son’s Mother. Thus
warmly had Jesus thought of the world in His time – a projection, perhaps,
as Renan suggests, of a verdant Galilee blossoming in the Syrian desert.
This “naturalism” of the early Franciscans, so beautifully expressed in the
lauds and in the “Canticle” of the Saint himself, finds surely in the Little
Flowers its most complete and beautiful expression. It has been through them
that the birds who stretched their throats and bowed their heads in approval
of the Saint’s exhortation to praise have ever since made their chirping
voices heard above the noisy history of Europe. To savor this naturalism in
its full freshness one need only turn to some expression of the naturalisms
of a later day, that of the Rousseauians or of our own Emerson or Thoreau.
These two were efforts to being God back into the world (from which He had
been exiled by Cartesian logic). But how vain the effort! How unsatisfactory
a God that is only Nature, and how literary and etaphorical a Nature which
we must think of as God! It is a more real and understandable thing, this
Nature of the early Franciscans, the “useful”, “humble”, “comfortable”
invention of a God who could be used, if one treated Him right, for the
humble commonplace needs of common everyday people.

And we have said nothing about Frate Lupo! There are those who say he was a
man, perhaps a bandit by that name. Anyone who can read the Little Flowers
without understanding that Frate Lupo was a wolf, will, like those who
cannot smile, have read them in vain!

Arthur Livingston
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PART ONE
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HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS
OF SAINT FRANCIS
OF ASSISI
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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