Medieval Sourcebook:
THOMAS OF CELANO
FIRST AND SECOND LIVES OF SAINT FRANCIS
Francesco Bernardone was born in Assisi in 1181. His father
Pietro was a successful merchant and hoped his son would succeed
him in that role. Things turned out differently.
Francis seems to have been a winsome and somewhat feckless
young man who threw himself into the social life of his city as
enthusiastically as he engaged in its military projects. While
taking part in the latter he was captured by the Perugians in
1202 and spent a year in prison. Then, around the age of twenty-three,
he underwent a gradual conversion which finally led him to reject
his former life and his father's wealth.
Of the various sources dealing with Francis' life, the earliest
biography is the First Life of Saint Francis written by Thomas
of Celano. It was commissioned by pope Gregory IX and was completed
by 1230, just four years after Francis' death and two years after
his canonization. Later, in 1244, the minister general of the
Franciscan order asked all the brothers to submit any additional
information about Francis they might have. Using this material,
Celano produced another work which, although usually called his
Second Life of Saint Francis. is really more of a supplement to
the first. It was completed by the middle of 1247.
Celano's work has the advantage of having been written by an
early member of the Franciscan order who could rely on personal
experience and the testimony of Francis' dose companions. Its
major disadvantage is that it is the official biography of a saint.
Thus much of what it says, although not necessarily false, is
probably something less than the whole truth.
We join Celano at a critical point in Francis' life. The year
is 1205. Since returning the previous year from an abortive attempt
to win military glory in southern Italy, Francis has been aware
that something important is going on within him.
Now perfectly changed in heart and soon to be changed in body,
Francis was strolling one day near the old church of St. Damian,
which was nearly destroyed and abandoned by all. The spirit led
him to enter the church and pray. Devoutly lying prostrate before
the crucifix, stirred by unusual visitations, he found he was
different than when he had entered.
While he was in this affected state, something absolutely unheard-of
occurred. The crucifix moved its lips and began to speak. "Francis,"
it said, calling him by name, "go and repair my house, which,
as you see, is completely destroyed." Francis was stupefied
and nearly deranged by this speech. He prepared to obey, surrendering
himself completely to the project. But since he considered the
change in him to be beyond description, it is best for us to be
silent about what he himself could not describe. From then on
compassion for the crucified one was imprinted in his holy soul
and, one may devoutly suspect, the stigmata of the holy passion
were deeply imprinted in his heart, though not yet in his flesh.
* * * * * * * *
Shortly thereafter, Francis took the fateful step that led
to a break with his father.
Behold, the blessed servant of the most high was so disposed and
strengthened by the holy spirit that the time had corn e for him
to follow the blessed impulse of his soul, progressing to higher
things and trampling worldly interests underfoot. It was unwise
to delay any longer, for a deadly illness was spreading everywhere.
It seized the joints and, if the physician delayed even for a
bit, it shut off the vital spirit and snatched away life.
Francis rose, fortifying himself with the sign of the cross, and
when his horse was ready he mounted. Taking some fine cloth with
him, he rode to the city of Foligno. There, being a successful
merchant, he sold all his cloth as usual and even left behind
the horse he was riding, having received a good price for it.
Then, having left all his baggage behind. he started back, wondering
as he traveled what he should do with the money.
Soon, converted to God's work in a marvelous way, he felt it would
be burdensome to carry the money for even an hour and, treating
it as if it were sand, he decided to get rid of it as fast as
possible. As he approached the city of Assisi, he passed the church
built in honor of St. Damian long ago, but now about to collapse
with age.
When the new soldier of Christ arrived at the church, he was stirred
with pity for its condition and entered with fear and reverence.
Finding a poor priest inside, Francis kissed his sacred hands
and offered him the money he was carrying, telling the priest
what he intended to do. The priest was stunned. Astonished by
such an incredibly sudden conversion, he refused to believe what
he heard. Since he thought he was being deceived, he refused to
keep the money that had been offered him. He had seen Francis
just the other day, so to speak, living riotously among his relations
and acquaintances, acting even more stupidly than the rest.
Francis, stubbornly insistent, tried to prove he was sincere.
He begged the priest to let him stay there for the sake of the
lord. Finally the priest agreed that he could stay but, fearing
Francis' parents, he would not accept the money. Francis, genuinely
contemptuous of money, threw it on a window sill, treating it
as if it were dust. He wanted to possess wisdom, which is better
than gold, and prudence, which is more precious than silver.
* * * * * * * *
Francis' father reacted predictably. He locked his son up at
home, but Francis' mother let him out while Pietro was away on
a business trip. Finally, despairing of private solutions, early
in 1206 Pietro brought his son before the bishop of Assisi. Francis
again proved equal to the occasion.
When he had been led before the bishop, Francis neither delayed
nor explained himself, but simply stripped off his clothes and
threw them aside, giving them back to his father. He did not even
keep his trousers, but stood there in front of everyone completely
naked. The bishop, sensing his intention and admiring his constancy,
rose and wrapped his arms around Francis, covering him with his
own robe. He saw clearly that Francis was divinely inspired and
that his action contained a mystery. Thus he became Francis' helper,
cherishing and comforting him.
* * * * * * * *
Celano now portrays Francis traveling around Umbria, living
among lepers, and rebuilding the church of St. Damian. The chronology
is vague, but a general life-style is suggested. Francis' sense
of his 4 own vocation was still in the process of formation, however.
Meanwhile this holy man, having changed his attire and repaired
the aforesaid church, went to another place near Assisi and began
to rebuild a certain dilapidated and nearly ruined church, ceasing
only when the task was finished. Then he went to still another
place called the Portiuncula, the site of a church dedicated to
the blessed virgin, the mother of God. This church, built long
ago, was now deserted and cared for by no one. When the holy man
of God saw how destroyed the church was, he was moved with pity
and began to spend a great deal of time there, for he burned with
devotion toward the mother of all good. It was in the third year
of his conversion that he began to repair this church. At that
time he wore a sort of hermit's attire, a leather belt around
his waist and a staff in his hands, and he went about wearing
shoes.
One day, however, when the gospel story of Christ sending his
disciples to preach was read in the church, the holy man of God
was present and more or less understood the words of the gospel.
After mass he humbly asked the priest to explain the gospel to
him. He heard that Christ's disciples were supposed to possess
neither gold, nor silver, nor money; were to have neither bread
nor staff; were to have neither shoes nor two tunics; but were
to preach the kingdom of God and penance. When the priest had
finished, Francis, rejoicing in the spirit of God, said, "This
is what I want! This is what I'm looking for! This is what I want
to do from the bottom of my heart!" Thus the holy father,
overflowing with joy, hurried to fulfill those healing words,
nor did he suffer any delay in carrying out what he had heard.
He took off his shoes, tossed away his staff, was satisfied with
a single tunic, and exchanged his leather belt for a cord. He
made himself a tunic that looked like the cross so that he could
beat off the temptations of the devil. It was rough in order to
crucify the vices and sins of the flesh. It was poor and mean
so that the world would not covet it. With the greatest diligence
and reverence he tried to do everything else that he had heard,
for he was not a deaf hearer of the gospel but, laudably committing
all that he had heard to memory, he diligent 1y attempted to fulfill
them to the letter.
* * * * * * * *
Gradually a small group began to form around Francis. In 1209,
when it numbered twelve including Francis, the Franciscan order
was born.
Seeing that the Lord God daily increased their number, Francis
wrote simply and in a few words a form of life and rule for himself
and his brothers bath present and to come. It mainly used the
words of the gospel, for the perfection of which alone he yearned.
Nevertheless, he did insert a few other things necessary for the
pursuit of a holy life.
He came to Rome with all his brothers, hoping that Pope Innocent
I II would confirm what he had writ ten. At that time the venerable
bishop of Assisi, Guido, who honored Francis and the brothers
and prized them with a special love, also happened to be in Rome.
When he saw Francis and his brothers there and did not know the
cause, he was very upset, since he feared they were planning to
desert their native city, in which God was now doing great things
through his servants. He was pleased to have such men in his diocese
and relied greatly on their life and manners. Having heard the
cause of their visit and understood their plan, he was relieved
and promised to give them advice and aid.
Saint Francis also went to the bishop of Sabina, John of Saint
Paul, one of the great members of the Roman court who seemed to
despise earthly things and love heavenly ones. Receiving Francis
with kindness and love, the bishop praised him highly for his
request and intent ion.
Since he was a prudent and discreet man, the bishop began to question
Francis about many things and tried to convince him that he should
try the life of a monk or hermit. Saint Francis humbly refused
his advice as well as he could, not because he despised what the
bishop suggested but because, impelled by a higher desire, he
devoutly wished for something else. The lord bishop marveled at
his fervor and, fearing that he might eventually slip back from
such high intentions, tried to show him a path that would be easier
to follow . Finally, won over by Francis' constancy, the bishop
agreed to his petition and attempted to further his plan before
the pope.
At that time the church was led by Innocent III, who was famous,
very learned, gifted in speech, and burning with zeal for what
ever would further the cause of the Christian faith. When he had
discovered what these men of God wanted and thought the matter
over, he assented to their request and did what had to be done.
Exhorting and admonishing them about m any things, he blessed
Saint Francis and his brothers, saying to them, "Go with
the Lord, brothers, and preach penance to all as the Lord will
inspire you. Then, when the Lord increases you in number and in
grace, return joyously to me. At that time I will concede more
to you and commit greater things to you more confidently."
Like other holy men of the time, Francis and his followers practiced
mortification of the flesh, not because the body was considered
evil -it, too, was created by God - but because in a fallen world
it could distract one from higher pursuits. In Francis' case,
such mortification was related not only to the cultivation of
spiritual experience, or what was known as the contemplative life,
but also to the Franciscan emphasis on humility and the equally
Franciscan desire to imitate Christ
The virtue of patience so enfolded them that they sought to be
where they could suffer bodily persecution rather than where,
their sanctity being known and praised, they might be exalted
by the world. Many times when they were insulted, ridiculed, stripped
naked, beaten, bound or imprisoned, they trusted in no one's patronage
but rather bore all so manfully that only praise and thanksgiving
echoed in their mouths. Scarcely or never did they cease their
prayers and praise of God. Instead, continually discussing what
they had done, they thanked God for what they had done well and
shed tears over what they had neglected to do or done carelessly.
They thought themselves abandoned by God if in their worship they
did not find themselves constantly visited by their accustomed
fervor. When they wanted to throw themselves into prayer, they
developed certain techniques to keep from being snatched off by
sleep. Some held themselves up by suspended ropes in order to
make sure their worship would not be disturbed by sleep creeping
up on them. Others encased their bodies in iron instrument s.
Still others encased themselves in wooden girdles. If, as usually
occurs, their sobriety was disturbed by abundance of food or drink,
or if they exceeded the limits of necessity by even a little because
they were tired from a journey, they harshly tormented themselves
by abstinence for many days. They tried to repress the promptings
of the flesh by such great mortification that they did not hesitate
to strip naked in the coldest ice or inundate their bodies with
a flow of blood by piercing themselves all over with thorns.
* * * * * * * *
Francis would have liked to suffer martyrdom at the hand of
the Moslems. He attempted a voyage to Morocco, but became ill
in Spain and had to turn back. In 1219 he went to Syria where
a crusade was in progress, and enjoyed the following experience,
according to Celano.
In the thirteenth year of his conversion, Francis proceeded to
Syria, for great and deadly bat ties between Christians and pagans
were going on there every day. Francis, who was traveling with
a companion, was not afraid to present himself before the sultan
of the Saracens. But who can say with what constancy of mind he
stood before him, with what strength of spirit he spoke, with
what eloquence and assurance he answered those who insulted the
Christian law? Before he was brought before the sultan he was
captured by soldiers, insulted, and beaten with a lash; yet he
was not afraid, was not terrified by the threats of torture, and
did not grow pale when threatened with death. And though he was
reproached by many who were opposed in mind and hostile in spirit,
he was very honorably received by the sultan. Trying to bend Francis'
spirit toward the wealth of this w arid, he honored him as much
as he could and gave him many presents; yet when he saw that Francis
despised such thing s as if they were dung, he was filled with
the greatest admiration and regarded Francis as different from
all others. He was moved by Francis' words and listened to him
willingly. In all these things the Lord did not fulfill Francis'
desire for martyrdom, since he was reserving for him the prerogative
of a singular grace.
* * * * * * * *
Francis' striking rapport with animals is certainly the best-
known and perhaps the most attractive aspect of his legend. It
has encouraged a recent pope to proclaim him patron saint of the
ecological movement. Here are some examples.
Meanwhile, at a time when many were joining the brothers, most
blessed father Francis was passing through the valley of Spoleto.
He came to a certain place near Bevagna, in which a great many
birds of various types had congregated, including doves, crows
and some others commonly called daws. When he saw them Francis,
that most blessed servant of God, being a man of great fervor
and very sympathetic toward the lower, irrational creatures, quickly
left 8 his companions on the road and ran over to them. When he
got there, he saw that they were waiting expectantly and saluted
them. Surprised that the birds had not flow n away as they normally
do, he was filled with joy and humbly begged them to listen to
the word of God. Among the things he told them, he said the following:
"My brothers the birds, you should love your creator deeply
and praise him always. He has given you feathers to w ear, wings
to fly with, and w hat ever else you need. He has made you noble
among his creatures and given you a dwelling in the pure air.
You neither sow nor reap, yet he nevertheless protects and governs
you without any anxiety on your part."
Both Francis and his companions agree in reporting that, when
he had spoken thus, the birds exulted marvelously in their own
fashion, stretching their necks, extending their wings, opening
their mouths, and gazing at him. Francis walked into their midst,
touching their heads and bodies with his tunic. Finally he blessed
them and, making the sign of the cross, gave them permission to
fly off to some other place.
Rejoicing, the blessed father went off with his companions, giving
thanks to God whom all creatures worship. Since he had now been
made simple by grace and not by nature, he began to accuse himself
of negligence for not having preached to the birds before, since
they listened to the word of God with such reverence. And thus
it came about that, from that day on, he exhorted all birds, all
animals, all reptiles, and even nonexistent creatures to praise
and love the creator, for every day, when the name of the savior
was announced, he himself saw their obedience.
One day he came to a town called Alviano to preach the word of
God. Ascending to w here he could be seen by all, he asked for
silence. The people became quiet and waited reverently, but a
flock of swallows building nests in that place continued to chatter
away, making it impossible for the people to hear. Francis spoke
to them, "My sisters the swallows, it's my turn to speak
now, because you've already said enough. Listen to the word of
God. Stay still and be quiet until it 's over." To the people's
amazement, the little birds immediately stopped chattering and
did not move until Francis had finished preaching. Those who witnessed
this sign were filled with wonder and said, "truly this man
is holy and a friend of the Most High." Praising and blessing
God, they devoutly hurried at least to touch his clothing. And
it is marvelous how those irrational creatures recognized his
affection for them and sensed his love.
Once, when he was staying in the town of Greccio, a hare was caught
in a trap and brought live to Francis by a brother. Seeing the
hare, the blessed m an was moved to pity and said, "Brother
hare, come here. Why did you let yourself be fooled in this w
ay?" As soon as the hare was released by the brother. he
dashed over to Francis and, without being forced to do so, set
tied into his lap as the safest place available. When he had rested
there a while, the holy father, stroking him with maternal affection,
let him go so that he could return to the wild. Each time he was
placed on the ground, the hare ran back to Francis' lap. Finally
Francis asked that the brothers carry him to a nearby forest.
Something similar occurred with a rabbit, a very undomesticated
creature, on an island in the lake of Perugia.
Francis was moved by similar pity toward fish. When they had been
caught and he had the chance, he threw them back into the water
warning them to be careful not to get caught again. Once, as he
was sitting in a boat near a harbor on the lake of Rieti, a certain
fisherman caught a big fish commonly called a tench and brought
it to Francis. He received it joyfully and kindly, took to calling
it "brother," and, having placed it in the water next
to his boat, began to bless the name of the Lord. For some time,
while Francis tended to his prayer, the fish played in the water
near the boat, nor did he leave the area until the holy man of
God, his prayer completed, gave him permission to go. For glorious
father Francis, walking the path of obedience and donning perfectly
the yoke of obedience, received from God the great honor of having
creatures obey him. For even water was turned into wine for him
when he was seriously ill at the hermitage of Saint Urban. When
he tasted it he became w ell so quickly that all believed it to
be a miracle, as indeed it was. And he w ham creatures obey in
this way, at whose nod the elements change themselves to other
uses, is certainly a holy man.
During the time when, as we have seen, the venerable father Francis
preached to the birds, he went about through cities and towns
scattering the seeds of his blessing everywhere. Coming to the
city of Ascoli, he preached the word of God fervently as usual.
Through a change wrought by the right hand of the Most high, the
people were filled with so much love and devotion that they trampled
one another hurrying to see and hear him. And thirty men, clerics
and laymen, received the habit at that time. recognized his affection
for them and sensed his love.
Once, when he was staying in the town of Greccio, a hare was caught
in a trap and brought live to Francis by a brother. Seeing the
hare, the blessed man was moved to pity and said, "Brother
hare, come here. Why did you let yourself be fooled in this way?"
As soon as the hare was released by the brother. he dashed over
to Francis and, without being forced to do so, set tied into his
lap as the safest place available. When he had rested there a
while, the holy father, stroking him with maternal affection,
let him go so that he could return to the wild. Each time he was
placed on the ground, the hare ran back to Francis' lap. Finally
Francis asked that the brothers carry him to a nearby forest.
Something similar occurred with a rabbit, a very undomesticated
creature, on an island in the lake of Perugia.
Francis was moved by similar pity toward fish. When they had been
caught and he had the chance, he threw them back into the water
warning them to be careful not to get caught again. Once, as he
was sitting in a boat near a harbor on the lake of Riet i, a certain
fisherman caught a big fish commonly called a tench and brought
it to Francis. He received it joyfully and kindly, took to calling
it "brother," and, having placed it in the water next
to his boat, began to bless the name of the Lord. For some time,
while Francis tended to his prayer, the fish played in the water
near the boat, nor did he leave the area until the holy man of
God, his prayer completed, gave him permission to go. For glorious
father Francis, walking the path of obedience and donning perfectly
the yoke of obedience, received from God the great honor of having
creatures obey him. For even water was turned into wine for him
when he was seriously ill at the hermitage of Saint Urban. When
he tasted it he became w ell so quickly that all believed it to
be a miracle, as indeed it was. And he whom creatures obey in
this way, at whose nod the elements change themselves to other
uses, is certainly a holy man.
During the time when, as w e have seen, the venerable father Francis
preached to the birds, he went about through cities and towns
scattering the seeds of his blessing everywhere. Coming to the
city of Ascoli, he preached the word of God fervently as usual.
Through a change wrought by the right hand of the Most high, the
people were filled with so much love and devotion that they trampled
one another hurrying to see and hear him. And thirty men, clerics
and laymen, received the habit at that time. So great was the
faith of men and w omen, and so great was their devotion to the
holy man of God, that they considered fortunate anyone who could
at least touch his clothes. When he entered a city, the clergy
rejoiced, the bells rang, men exulted, w omen cheered, children
applauded, and often, taking branches from the trees, they went
to meet him singing. Heretical depravity was confounded, the faith
of the church was extolled, and while the faithful engaged in
jubilation heretics went into hiding. For so many signs of sanctity
appeared in him that no one dared to oppose his words. Indeed,
the attention of the crowd was directed at him alone. He felt
that the faith of the Holy Roman Church should be observed, honored
and imitated above all things, since in it alone lies the salvation
of those who are to be saved. He felt great affection for priests
and every ecclesiastical order.
The people offered him bread to bless, stored it away for a long
time, then were cured of various illnesses when they ate it. In
their overwhelming faith they often cut off parts of his clothes,
so much that he was often left nearly naked. And w hat is even
more marvelous, if the holy father touched some object, it in
turn became the m cans by which health was restored to others.
Thus a certain woman from a little town near Arezzo was pregnant,
and when it was time for her to deliver she remained in labor
for several days in incredible pain, hanging between life and
death. Her neighbors and family heard that Saint Francis was to
pass that way as he journeyed to a certain hermitage. They waited,
but he went by another route.
He had gone on horseback because he was ill. When he arrived at
his destination, he entrusted the horse to a brother named Peter,
who was to bring it back to the man who had loaned it. On his
way, Peter passed through the village w here the woman lay suffering.
When the men of the village saw him, they hurried up to him thinking
he was Francis, but they soon learned the truth and were deeply
disappoint ed.
Finally they began to ask one another if same thing might be found
which Francis had touched with his hand. After searching for a
long time, they came upon the reigns of the bridle, which he had
held while riding. Removing the bridle from the horse's mouth,
they placed the reigns on the w oman. Immediately the danger passed.
She bore the child safely and joyfully.
* * * * * * * *
His highest intention, greatest desire, and supreme purpose was
to observe the holy gospel in and through all things. He w anted
to follow the doctrine and walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to do so perfectly, with all vigilance, all zeal,
complete desire of the mind, complete fervor of the heart. He
remembered Christ's words through constant meditation and recalled
his actions through wise consideration. The humility of the incarnation
and the love of the passion so occupied his memory that he scarcely
wished to think of anything else. Hence what he did in the third
year before the day of his glorious death, in the town called
Greccio, on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, should be reverently
remembered.
There was in that place a certain man named John, of good reputation
and even better life, w ham the blessed Francis particularly loved.
Noble and honorable in his own land, he had trodden on nobility
of the flesh and pursued that of the mind. Around fifteen days
before the birthday of Christ Francis sent for this man, as he
often did, and said to him, "If you wish to celebrate the
approaching feast of the Lord at Greccio, hurry and do w hat I
tell you. I w ant to do something that w ill recall the memory
of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes
the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger, and
how the ox and ass stood by." Upon hearing this, the good
and faithful man hurried to prepare all that the holy man had
request ed.
The day of joy drew near, the time of exult at ion approached.
The brothers were called from their various places. With glad
hearts, the men and w omen of that place prepared, according to
their means, candles and torches to light up that night which
has illuminated all the days and years with its glittering star.
Finally the holy man of God arrived and, finding everything prepared,
saw it and rejoiced.
The manger is ready, hay is brought, the ox and ass are led in.
Simplicity is honored there, poverty is exalted, humility is commended
and a new Bethlehem, as it were, is made from Greccio. Night is
illuminated like the day, delighting men and beasts. The people
come and joyfully celebrate the new mystery. The forest resounds
with voices and the rocks respond to their rejoicing. The brothers
sing, discharging their debt of praise to the Lord, and the whole
night echoes with jubilation. The holy man of God stands before
the m anger 12 full of sighs, consumed by devotion and filled
with a marvelous joy. The solemnities of the mass are performed
over the manger and the priest experiences a new consolation.
The holy man of God w ears a deacon's vestments, for he was indeed
a deacon, and he sings the holy gospel with a sonorous voice.
And his voice, a sweet voice, a vehement voice, a clear voice,
a sonorous voice, invites all to the highest rewards. Then he
preaches mellifluously to the people standing about, telling them
about the birth of the poor king and the little city of Bethlehem.
Often, too, when he wished to mention Jesus Christ, burning with
love he called him "the child of Bethlehem," and speaking
the word "Bethlehem" or "Jesus," he licked
his lips with his tongue, seeming to taste the sweetness of these
words.
The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied here and a marvelous
vision is seen by a certain virtuous man. For he saw a little
child lying lifeless in the manger, and he saw the holy man of
God approach and arouse the child as if from a deep sleep. Nor
was this an unfitting vision, for in the hearts of many the child
Jesus really had been forgotten, but now, by his grace and through
his servant Francis, he had been brought back to life and impressed
here by loving recollect ion. Finally the celebrat ion ended and
each returned joyfully home.
The hay placed in the manger was kept so that the Lord, multiplying
his holy mercy, might bring health to the beasts of burden and
other animals. And indeed it happened that many animals throughout
the surrounding area were cured of their illnesses by eating this
hay. Moreover, w omen undergoing a long and difficult labor gave
birth safely when some of this hay was placed upon them. And a
large number of people, male and female alike, with various illnesses,
all received the health they desired there. At last a temple of
the Lord was consecrated w here the manger stood, and over the
manger an altar was constructed and a church dedicated in honor
of the blessed father Francis, so that, w here animals once had
eaten hay, henceforth men could gain health in soul and body by
eating the flesh of the Lamb without spot or blemish, Jesus Christ
our Lord, who through great and indescribable love gave him self
to us, living and reigning with the Father and Holy Spirit, God
eternally glorious forever and ever, Amen. Alleluia! Alleluia!
* * * * * * *
Two years before Francis gave his soul back to heaven, while
he was staying in a hermitage called "Alverna" after
the place w here it was located, he saw in a vision from God a
man with six wings like a seraph, standing above him with hands
extended and feet together, affixed to a cross. Two wings were
raised over his head, two were extended in flight, and two hid
his entire body.
When the blessed servant of God saw these things he was filled
with wonder, but he did not know w hat the vision meant. He rejoiced
greatly in the benign and gracious expression with which he saw
himself regarded by the seraph, whose beauty was indescribable;
yet he was alarmed by the fact that the seraph was affixed to
the cross and was suffering terribly. Thus Francis rose, one might
say, sad and happy, joy and grief alternating in him. He wondered
anxiously w hat this vision could mean, and his soul was uneasy
as it searched for understanding. And as his understanding sought
in vain for an explanation and his heart was filled with perplex
it y at the great novelty of this vision, the marks of nails began
to appear in his hands and feet, just as he had seen them slightly
earlier in the crucified man above him.
His hands and feet seemed to be pierced by nails, with the heads
of the nails appearing in the palms of his hands and on the upper
sides of his feet, the points appearing on the other side. The
marks were round on the palm of each hand but elongated on the
other side, and small pieces of flesh jutting out from the rest
took on the appearance of the nail-ends, bent and driven back.
In the same way the marks of nails were impressed on his feet
and projected beyond the rest of the flesh. Moreover, his right
side had a large wound as if it had been pierced with a spear,
and it often bled so that his tunic and trousers were soaked with
his sacred blood.
Alas, how few were worthy of viewing the wound I n the side of
this crucified servant of the crucified Lord I How fortunate was
Elias, who was worthy of seeing it while the holy man lived, but
no less fortunate was Rufinus, who touched the wound with his
own hands. For once, when the aforesaid brother Rufinus put his
hand on the holy man's chest in order to rub him, his hand fell
to his right side, as often occurs, and he happened to touch that
precious wound. The holy man of God suffered great anguish from
that touch and, pushing the hand away, he cried out to the Lord
to forgive him. He carefully hid the wound from outsiders and
cautiously concealed it from those near him, so that even his
most devoted followers and those who were constantly at his side
knew nothing of it for a long time. And although the servant and
friend of the most high saw himself adorned with many costly pearls
as if with precious gems, and marvelously decked out beyond the
glory and honor of other men, he did not become vain or seek to
please anyone through desire for personal glory, but, lest human
favor should steal away the grace given to him, he attempted to
hide it in every way possible.
* * * * * * * *
During this period Francis' body began to be beset by more serious
illnesses than previously. He suffered frequent illnesses because
for many years he had castigated his body perfectly, reducing
it to servitude. For during the preceding eighteen years his flesh
had scarcely or never found rest, but traveled constantly throughout
various wide areas so that the prompt, devout and fervent spirit
within him could scatter God's word everywhere.
Translation by David Burr [olivi@mail.vt.edu]. See his home page.
He indicated that the translations are available for educational
use. He intends to expand the number of translations, so keep
a note of his home page.
Paul Halsall Jan 1996
halsall@murray.fordham.edu
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