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
As true piety, which is charity itself, is never jealous, and is
delighted in what is of advantage to its neighbors, the ecclesiastic
embraced Francis, and assured him how desirous he was to see the Blessed
Virgin honored and praised in this place, which she loved, where
concerts by the angelic host were constantly heard. As a proof of this,
he called a laborer of the vicinity, who certified to have several
times heard in the night melodious canticles, and to have seen a great
light come forth from the windows.
The experience of Francis himself was an additional proof. For, being
in prayer during the following night in order to recommend his family
to the protection of the Blessed Virgin, he saw on the altar, by means
of a splendid light, our Saviour Jesus Christ, His holy Mother, and
a multitude of angels, who cast upon him looks of great benignity. He
adored, and recited these words: "O most holy Lord, King of Heaven,
Redeemer of the world, sweet Love! and thou, O Queen of Angels! by
what excess of goodness do you come down from heaven into this small
and poor chapel?" He immediately heard this reply: "I am come with my
Mother to settle you and yours in this place, which is very dear to
us." All then disappeared, and Francis exclaimed: "Truly this place
is holy, which ought to be inhabited by angels, rather than by men.
As long as I possibly can, I will not leave it; it shall be, for me
and mine, an eternal monument of the goodness of God!" It became, in
fact, a great object of devotion and veneration for himself and his
brethren, particularly after it had been revealed to him that, among
all the temples consecrated under the name of the Blessed Virgin, this
was the one for which she had the greatest attachment.
At break of day he sent for the other religious by his companions,
with directions to bring with them the few pieces of furniture which
they had in the hut at Rivo Torto, in order to place them in the house
adjoining the church of St. Mary of the Angels, which the pious
ecclesiastic willingly gave up to them.
He communicated to the new guests the sanctity of the place they were
about to inhabit, and recommended them to live therein holily, never
ceasing to praise the Lord. Then he said to them: "You must be very
grateful to the Benedictine Fathers for the benefit they have conferred
upon us. They have consecrated all the habitations we shall hereafter
have, by this house of God, which is the model of the poverty which
must be observed in all the houses of our Order, and the precious germ
of the holiness which we must seek for in it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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