Christian saints -- Biography; Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226
It is far indeed from hatred of evil to love of good. Those are more
numerous than we think who, after severe experience, have renounced what
the ancient liturgies call the world, with its pomps and lusts; but the
greater number of them have not at the bottom of their hearts the
smallest grain of pure love. In vulgar souls disillusion leaves only a
frightful egoism.
This victory of Francis had been so sudden that he desired to complete
it; a few days later he went to the lazaretto.[16] One can imagine the
stupefaction of these wretches at the entrance of the brilliant
cavalier. If in our days a visit to the sick in our hospitals is a real
event awaited with feverish impatience, what must not have been the
appearance of Francis among these poor recluses? One must have seen
sufferers thus abandoned, to understand what joy may be given by an
affectionate word, sometimes even a simple glance.
Moved and transported, Francis felt his whole being vibrate with
unfamiliar sensations. For the first time he heard the unspeakable
accents of a gratitude which cannot find words burning enough to express
itself, which admires and adores the benefactor almost like an angel
from heaven.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] 1 Cel., 3; cf. Bon., 8, and A. SS., p. 563c.
[2] It is enough to have lived in the country of Naples to know
that there is nothing exaggerated in this picture. I am much
surprised that intelligent and good men fancy that to change the
religious formula of these people would suffice to transform
them. What a mistake! To-day, as in the time of Jesus, the
important matter is not to adore on Mount Moriah or Mount Zion,
but to adore in spirit and in truth.
[3] 1 Cel., 3 and 4.
[4] 3 Soc., 5. In the existing state of the documents it is
impossible to know whom this name designates, for at that time
it was borne by a number of counts who are only to be
distinguished by the names of their castles. The three following
are possible: 1. _Gentile comes de Campilio_, who in 1215 paid
homage for his property to the commune of Orvieto: _Le antiche
cronache di Orvieto, Arch. stor. ital._, 5th series., 1889,
iii., p. 47. 2. _Gentilis comes filius Alberici_, who with
others had made donation of a monastery to the Bishop of
Foligno: Confirmatory Bull _In eminenti_ of April 10, 1210:
Ughelli, _Italia Sacra_, 1, p. 697; Potthast, 3974. 3. _Gentilis
comes Manupelli_; whom we find in July, 1200, assuring to
Palermo the victory over the troops sent by Innocent III.
against Marckwald; Huillard-Breholles, _Hist. dipl._, i. p., 46
ff. Cf. Potthast, 1126. _Gesta Innocenti_, Migne, vol. i.,
xxxii, ff. Cf. Huillard-Breholles, _loc. cit._, pages 60, 84,
89, 101. It is wrong to consider that Gentile could here be a
mere adjective; the 3 Soc. say _Gentile nomine_.
[5] 1 Cel., 4; 3 Soc., 5.
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