The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of AssisiChalippe, Candide
Religion
The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of Assisi
Chalippe, Candide
Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226; Miracles -- Early works to 1800
His devotion induced him also to visit the grotto consecrated by the
apparition of the Archangel Michael, on Mount Gargano. They wished,
out of respect, to take him to the very spot where the blessed spirit
was manifested, and where mass is offered up, a privilege which is not
allowed to all. But through humility he stopped at the door, and, as
he was urged to enter, he said: "I dare not go farther; this place is
awful; it is the dwelling of angels, whom men should respect in all
ways." The place where he stopped to pray is shown to this day. These
sentiments of humility should abash those Christians who crowd round
our altars in unbecoming postures, and particularly those worldly women
who, in immodest postures and in an air of vanity, approach
contemptuously the sanctuary in which the Sacred Body of Jesus reposes.
Francis placed some of his religious near Mount Gargano and in some
other parts, after which he came to Gubbio, where he cured a woman,
the sinews of whose hands were contracted.
Near Gubbio, a soldier called Benvenuto, asked to be admitted into the
Order; he was admitted as a lay-brother, with directions to wait upon
the lepers. Profound humility, implicit obedience, an ardent charity,
the love of poverty and of silence, assiduity in prayer, perfect
patience in sickness, and a tender devotion to the Blessed Sacrament,
rendered this soldier an excellent religious. God honored him with so
many miracles during his lifetime and after his death, which happened
in the year 1232, that Pope Gregory IX had information taken on the
subject, in 1236, through the Bishops of Malfi, Molfetta, and Venosa,
and permitted these three dioceses to allot to him an office, which
is now said by the whole Order of Friars Minor.
There lived, between Gubbio and Massa, an old advocate of the Roman
court, called Bartholomew Baro, who had retired thither to avoid the
tumults and dangers of the world, and lived in great reputation of
sanctity. Francis, delighted at what he had heard of him, wished to
see him. They discoursed on spiritual things, and Bartholomew, hearing
that there was a Third Order, willingly entered it. The holy Founder
who saw that great prudence was associated with his consummate piety,
placed confidence in him regarding the affairs of his Order, and left
some of his religious with him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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