Christian saints -- Biography; Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226
[6] Thomas of Celano must be in error when he declares that
Francis was not acquainted with Cardinal Ugolini before the
visit which he made him at Florence (summer of 1217): _Nondum
alter alteri erat praecipua familiaritate conjunctus_ (1 Cel., 74
and 75). The Franciscan biographer's purpose was not historic;
chronological indications are given in profusion; what he seeks
is the _apta junctura_. Tradition has preserved the memory of a
chapter held at Portiuncula in presence of Ugolini during a stay
of the curia at Perugia (_Spec._, 137b.; _Fior_., 18;
_Conform._, 207a; 3 Soc., 61). But the curia did not come back
to Perugia between 1216 and Francis's death. It is also to be
noted that according to Angelo Clareno, Ugolini was with Francis
in 1210, supporting him in the presence of Innocent III. Vide
below, p. 413. Finally the bull _Sacrosancta_ of December 9,
1219, witnesses that already during his legation in Florence
(1217) Ugolini was actually interesting himself for the
Clarisses.
[7] See, for example, the description of the chapter of 1221 by
Brother Giordano. Giord., 16.
[8] With regard to the figure of five thousand attendants given
by Bonaventura (Bon., 59) Father Papini writes: _Io non credo
stato capace alcuno di dare ad intendere al S. Dottore simil
fanfaluca, ne capace lui di crederla_.
_... In somma il numero quinque millia et ultra non e del Santo,
incapace di scrivere una cosa tanto improbabile e relativamente
impossibile. Storia di S. Fr._, i., pp. 181 and 183. This
figure, five thousand, is also indicated by Eccl., 6. All this
may be explained and become possible by admitting the presence
of the Brothers of Penitence, and it seems very difficult to
contest it, since in the Order of the Humiliants, which much
resembles that of the Brothers Minor (equally composed of three
branches approved by three bulls given June, 1201), the
chapters-general annually held were frequented by the brothers
of the three Orders. Tiraboschi t. ii., p. 144. Cf. above, p.
158.
[9] Vide 2 Cel., 3, 121; _Spec._, 42b; 127b.
[10] _Praecipio firmiter per obedientiam fratribus universis quod
ubicunque sunt, non audeant petere aliquam litteram in Curia
Romana._ _Test. B. Fr._
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