St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 2 : 5-6

Christ heals the ten lepers. Luke xvii, 11-19. James Tissot (1886–1896).
Brooklyn Museum, NYC. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 2 : Of his perfect conversion unto God and of the repairing of three churches 

- 5 -

1. Thereafter, this despiser of the world, loosed from the bonds of worldly desires, left the city and, glad and free, sought a secret solitude where he might hearken in loneliness and silence unto the hidden treasures of divine conversation. 

2. And while the man of God, Francis, was making his way through a certain wood, chanting praises unto the Lord in the French tongue[1], and rejoicing, it chanced that some robbers rushed out on him from their hiding-places. 

3. With fierce mien they asked the man of God who he was and he, full of confidence, gave a prophetic answer, saying : “I am a herald of the great King.”[2] 

4. Then they fell upon him, and cast him into a ditch full of snow, crying: “‘Herald of God?’ Lie there, churl!” 

5. But he, on their departure, climbed out of the ditch and, uplifted with exceeding gladness, in a yet louder voice began to make the woods echo with praises unto the Creator of all.

Footnotes

[1] Catholic and Franciscan tradition records the maiden name of Francis’ mother as Pica de Bourlemont, identifying her as a French noblewoman from Provence or the Languedoc region in the South of France. This would explain Francis’ fluency in French and perhaps his father’s insistence on calling him Francesco, the French one.

[2] The city of Jerusalem is called the city of the great King (Ps. XLVII, 3); see too Matt. v, 35.

- 6 -

1. When he came unto a neighbouring monastery, he asked an alms as a beggar, and received it as one unrecognised and despised. 

2. Departing thence, he came unto Gubbio, where he was recognised and entertained by a friend of former days, and was clad by him with a poor tunic, such as became the little poor one of Christ.

3. Thence that lover of utterest humility betook himself unto the lepers, and abode among them, with all diligence serving them all for the love of God.

4. He would bathe their feet, and bind up their sores, drawing forth the corrupt matter from their wounds, and wiping away the blood; 

5. yea, in his marvellous devotion, he would even kiss their ulcerated wounds, he that was soon to be a Gospel physician. 

6. Wherefore he obtained from the Lord such power as that he received a marvellous efficacy in marvellously cleansing both soul and body from disease. 

“Be thou cleansed. And immediately the
leprosy departed from him.” Luke v, 13.
James Tissot (v. supra.)

7. I will relate one instance out of many, whereby the fame of the man of God was afterward bruited abroad.

8. A man in the county of Spoleto had his mouth and jaw eaten away by the ravages of a loathsome disease, and received no succour from any remedy of the physicians. 

9. It chanced that, after visiting the shrines of the holy Apostles to implore their merits, he was returning from his pilgrimage, and met the servant of God. 

10. When out of devotion he was to kiss his footprints, Francis in his humility would not brook it, but kissed on the mouth him that had been fain to kiss his feet. 

11. Lo, as in his wondrous goodness the servant of the lepers, Francis, touched that loathsome sore with his holy lips, the disease utterly vanished, and the sick man at once regained his longed-for health. 

12.I know not which of these twain is the more rightly to be marvelled at, the depth of humility in such a gracious embrace, or the excellence of power in such an astounding miracle.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 2 : 4

“The Bishop, marvelling at such exceeding fervour in the man
of God...covered him with his own cloak.” St Francis renounces 
his earthly father, by Sassetta (1437-44). National Gallery, London.
Wikimedia Commons. Sailko: CC BY 3.0 Unported license. 

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 2 : Of his perfect conversion unto God and of the repairing of three churches 

- 4 -

1. Then this father according unto the flesh was fain to take this son of grace, now stripped of his wealth, before the Bishop of the city, so that into his hands he might resign his claim unto his inheritance and render up all that had been his. 

2. This that true lover of poverty shewed himself right ready to do, and coming into the Bishop’s presence, he brooked no delays and was kept back of none, tarried for no speech nor spake himself, but at once took off all his garments and restored them unto his father. 

3. Then was the man of God seen to have a hair-shirt next his skin under his rich apparel. 

4. Yea more: as one drunk with wondrous fervour of spirit he threw aside even his underwear and stood up naked in the presence of all, saying unto his father: “Hitherto I have called thee my father on earth, but henceforth I can confidently say ‘Our Father, who art in heaven,’[1] with whom I have laid up my whole treasure[2], and on whom I have set my whole trust and hope.” 

5. The Bishop, seeing this and marvelling at such exceeding fervour in the man of God, rose forthwith and, weeping, put his arms round him; then, devout and kindly man as he was, covered him with the cloak wherewith he himself was clad, bidding his servants give him something to clothe his limbs withal. 

6. Then there was brought unto him a mean and rough overcoat of a farm-servant of the Bishop. This Francis gladly received, and with a piece of chalk that he chanced upon, he marked it with his own hand with the sign of the Cross, thus making it a garment meet for a man crucified, poor and half naked. 

7. Thus, then, the servant of the Most High King was left naked, so that he might follow the naked and crucified Lord Whom he loved[3]. 

8. Thus was he fortified with the Cross, so that he might entrust his soul unto that wood of salvation that should bring him forth unscathed from the shipwreck of the world.

Footnotes

[1] Matt. vi, 9-13.

[2] Cf. “Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.” Matt. vi. 19-21.

[3] Cf. “And [Job] said: ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.’” Job i, 21.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 2 : 2-3

“When his father heard these outcries, he ran out at once.”
From the Legend of St Francis by Giotto (1297-99).
Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904. I have added footnotes with Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments.

Chapter 2 : Of his perfect conversion unto God and of the repairing of three churches 

- 2 -

1. But when his father learnt that the servant of God was tarrying[1] with the aforesaid priest, he was sore vexed in spirit, and ran unto the place. 

2. And Francis, being yet but a newly-recruited soldier of Christ[2], when he heard the threats of them that pursued him, and knew beforehand of their coming, was fain to give place unto wrath[3] and hid himself in a certain secret pit; 

3. therein for some days he lay concealed, beseeching the Lord without ceasing, and with floods of tears, that He would deliver his soul from the hands of them that pursued him[4], and would by His gracious favour fulfil the holy purposes wherewith He had inspired him. 

4. Then, filled with an overflowing joy he began to blame himself for his craven sloth; leaving his hiding-place and casting aside his fear, he made his way toward the city of Assisi. 

5. But when the townsfolk beheld him unkempt in appearance, and changed in mind, and on this account deemed him to have lost his senses, they attacked him with mud from the streets and stones[5], and mocked him with loud shouts as a fool and madman. 

6. But the servant of the Lord, not moved or overborne by any insults, passed through all as one deaf unto them. 

7. When his father heard these outcries, he ran out at once, not to deliver him but rather to destroy him; laying aside all compunction, he dragged him into the house, and there afflicted him first with words, then with stripes and bonds. 

8. But Francis was thereby rendered but the more eager and valiant to carry out that which he had begun, remembering that saying of the Gospel: 

9. “Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[6]

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “And the bridegroom tarrying” (Vulgate: Moram autem faciente sponso): Matt. xxv, 5.

[2] Cf. Catechism of Council of Trent (1566) : The person receiving the sacrament of Confirmation “becomes a perfect soldier of Christ.” St Bonaventure uses the Latin expression “athleta Christi” which can mean “Champion of Christ.” Cf. “Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.” Eph. Vi, 11.

[3] Cf. “Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath”: Rom. xii, 19. 

[4] Cf. “My lots are in thy hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; and from them that persecute me”: Ps. XXX, 16; “Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul from persecutors”: Ps. CVIII, 31.

[5] Cf. “I shall beat them as small as the dust of the earth: I shall crush them and spread them abroad like the mire of the streets”: II Kings xxii, 43.

[6] Matt. v, 10.

- 3 -

1. After a little space of time, on his father’s departure from the country, his mother – who misliked her husband’s dealings, and deemed it hopeless to soften the unyielding constancy of her son – freed him from his bonds and let him go forth. 

2. Then he, giving thanks unto the Lord Almighty, returned unto the place where he had been afore.

3. When his father returned and found him not in the house, heaping reproaches on his wife, he ran in fury unto that place intending, if he could not bring him back, at least to drive him from the province. 

4. But Francis, strengthened by God, of his own accord came forth to meet his raging father, crying aloud that he cared naught for his bonds and stripes; yea more, protesting that he would gladly endure all hardships for the sake of Christ[1]. 

5. Accordingly, when his father saw that he could not bring him back, he turned his thoughts unto the recovery of the money; 

6. the which, when he had at length found it on the window-ledge, somewhat soothed his rage – the thirst of avarice being relieved, as it were, by a draught of money.

Footnotes

[1] Cf. When St Paul complains: “there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me,” the Lord replies to him:  “‘My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity.’ Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ.” 2 Cor. xii, 7. 9-10; and “For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct?” Hebr. xii, 6-7.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 2 : 1

“Francis, before an Image of the Crucified, was carried out of himself in ecstasy.”
The Miracle of the Crucifix from the Legend of St Francis by Giotto (1297-99).
Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 2 : Of his perfect conversion unto God and of the repairing of three churches 

- 1 -

1. Forasmuch as the servant of the Most High had none to instruct him in this way except Christ, His mercy was now further vouchsafed unto him in visitations of His sweet grace. 

2. For on a certain day, when he had gone forth to meditate in the fields, he was walking nigh the church of Saint Damian[1], which from its exceeding great age was threatening to fall, and, at the prompting of the Spirit, went within to pray. Prostrating himself before an Image of the Crucified, he was filled with no small consolation of spirit as he prayed. 

3. And with eyes full of tears he gazed up, and he heard with his bodily ears a Voice proceeding from that Cross, saying thrice: “Francis, go and repair My House, which, as thou seest, is falling utterly into ruin.” 

4. Francis trembled, being alone in the church, and was astonished at the sound of such a wondrous Voice[2], and, perceiving in his heart the might of the divine speech, was carried out of himself in ecstasy. 

5. When at length he came unto himself again, he prepared to obey, and devoted himself wholly unto the behest to repair the material church; howbeit, the principal intent of the message had regard unto that Church which Christ had purchased with His own blood[3], even as the Holy Spirit taught him, and as he himself afterward revealed unto the Brethren.

6. Accordingly he rose up, and, fortifying himself with the sign of the Cross, he put together cloth stuffs for sale, and hastened unto the city that is called Foligno[4], and there sold the goods that he had brought and the horse whereon he had ridden. Then this joyful merchant, putting together his gains, departed 

7. on his return for Assisi, and there did reverently enter the church concerning whose repair he had received the command. Finding there a poor priest, he shewed him due reverence, and proffered him the money for the repair of the church, and the use of the poor, humbly petitioning that he would permit him to sojourn with him for a time. 

8. The priest granted him permission to sojourn there, but, for fear of his parents, refused the money, whereupon that true despiser of money[5] threw it on a window-ledge, valuing it no more than dust that is trodden under foot.

Footnotes

[1] A third century physician who, with his brother Cosmas, was martyred for his Christian faith under the persecutions of Diocletian in 287 AD. Their feast is celebrated on the 27 September.

[2] Cf. “And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every one's work: converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here.” 1 Pet. i, 17.

[3] Cf. “Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Acts xx, 28..

[4] An ancient town of Italy (Roman Fulginium) in the province of Perugia in east central Umbria, some 10 miles south of Assisi.

[5] In Luke xvi, where the Pharisees are described as “covetous” (Lat. avari), the Greek word is φιλάργυροι, “lovers of money.” This provides a direct contrast to the expression in the text: “despiser of money”

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 1 : 6

“Unto poor folk...he was fain to give...at
times stripping off his garments.” From the
San Sepolchro Altapiece by Sassetta (1437).
National Gallery. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 1 :  His manner of life in the secular state

- 6 - 

1. From that time forth, he put on the spirit of poverty, the feeling of humility, and the love of inward godliness. 

2. For whereas aforetime not only the company but even the distant sight of lepers had inspired him with violent revulsion, now, for the sake of Christ Crucified – Who, saith the prophet[1], appeared despised, and marred as a leper – and that he might fully vanquish self, he would render unto the lepers humble and kindly services in his benevolent goodness. 

3. For he would often visit their dwellings, and bestow alms upon them with a bountiful hand, and with a deep impulse of pity would kiss their hands and faces[2]. 

4. Unto poor folk that begged of him, he was fain to give not his goods alone, but his very self, at times stripping off his garments, at times tearing or cutting them, to bestow upon them, when he had naught else at hand[3]. 

5. Poor priests, moreover, he would succour reverently and piously, more especially with ornaments for the altar, whereby he both became a sharer in the divine worship, and supplied the needs of the worshippers. 

6. Now about this time he was visiting, with devout reverence, the shrine of the Apostle Peter, and beheld a host of beggars before the doors of the church; thereupon, constrained in part by gentle piety, in part led by the love of poverty, he bestowed his own garments on one of the neediest, 

7. and, clad in his rags, passed that day in the midst of the beggars, with unwonted gladness of spirit; that so, despising worldly repute, he might attain by gradual steps unto Gospel perfection[4]. 

8. He kept right strict watch over the mortification of the flesh, that he might bear the Cross of Christ[5], the which he bore inwardly in his heart, outwardly also in his body. So all these things were wrought by the man of God, Francis, ere yet he had separated himself from the world in habit or way of life.

Footnotes

[1] “Surely he hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows: and we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted.” Is. liii, 4.

[2] Cf. “For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.”  Mat. xxv, 35-6.

[3] Cf. the account by Sulplicius Severus (363-c425) of a similar action by St Martin: “Taking, therefore, his sword with which he was girt, he divided his cloak into two equal parts, and gave one part to the poor man, while he again clothed himself with the remainder...In the following night, when Martin had resigned himself to sleep, he had a vision of Christ arrayed in that part of his cloak with which he had clothed the poor man.” For more, see: Ch. III of the Life of St Martin (AD 396-7).

[4] Cf. “But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind and thou shalt be blessed, because they have not wherewith to make thee recompense: for recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just.” Luke xiv, 13; “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich.” 2 Cor. viii, 9.   

[5] Cf. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matt. xvi, 24.

[End of Chapter 1]

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 1 : 5

“He leapt from his horse and ran to embrace him.” St Francis embracing a leper 
(Zacarías González Velázquez, 1787). Museo del Prado, Madrid. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 1 :  His manner of life in the secular state

- 5 - 

1. Now on a day while he was riding over the plain that lieth beneath the city of Assisi, he met a certain leper, and this unforeseen meeting filled him with horror.

2. But when he recalled the purpose of perfection that he had even then conceived in his mind, and remembered that it behoved him first of all to conquer self if he were fain to become the soldier of Christ[1], he leapt from his horse and ran to embrace him.

3. When the leper stretched forth his hand[2] as though to receive an alms[3], he kissed it, and then put money therein[4].

4. Then forthwith mounting his horse, he looked round him on all sides, and the plain was spread before him unbroken, and no trace of that leper might he see. 

5. Then, filled with wonder and joy, he began devoutly to chant praises unto the Lord, purposing from this to rise ever unto greater heights. 

6. From that time forth, he would seek lonely places, dear unto mourners, and there he devoted himself without ceasing to unutterable groanings[5], and, after long importunity in prayer, won an answer from the Lord. 

7. For while one day he was thus praying in seclusion, and in his exceeding fervour was wholly absorbed in God, there appeared unto him Christ Jesus in the likeness of One Crucified. 

8. Beholding Him, his soul was melted within him[6], and so deeply was the remembrance of Christ’s Passion imprinted inwardly on his heart that from that hour, whensoever he recalled the Crucifixion of Christ, he could scarce refrain from tears and from groaning aloud; even as he himself in after time told his friends, when he was drawing nigh his end. 

9. For in sooth by this vision the man of God understood that Gospel saying to be addressed unto him: ‘‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”[7]

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “And the things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. ii, 2-3.

[2] Cf. Esther besought Assuerus “that he would give orders that the malice of Aman the Agagite, and his most wicked devices which he had invented against the Jews, should be of no effect.  But he, as the manner was, held out the golden sceptre with his hand, which was the sign of clemency:” Esther viii, 4. 

[3] Cf. the lame man, seeking to receive alms from Peter and John, “looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.” Acts iii, 5.

[4] Cf. “Peace be with you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father hath given you treasure”: Gen. xliii, 23.

[5] Cf. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings.” Rom. viii, 26.

[6] Cf. “My soul melted when he spoke:” Cant. v, 6.

[7] Matt. xvi, 24.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 1 : 4

“By the constant practice of prayer, the flame of
 heavenly yearning was mightily kindled within  him.”
From the Legend of St Francis (Giotto, 1279-99).
Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi. Public domain.

The following posts present The Life of St Francis (1181-1226) written by St Bonaventure (1221-1274) who joined the Franciscan Order in 1243. Confirmed as Minister General in 1257, he later wrote this life of St Francis (Legenda Major Sancti Francisci, c1260-63).

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bonaventure’s biography firstly as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her many graces and favours, at the same time praying she will continue to provide help and protection for the author and his family; and secondly, to honour and thank St Francis whose name I received at my Confirmation in 1961 when I was seven years old.

This presentation of St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis is based on E. Gurney Slater’s English translation published in 1904, to which I have added Scriptural excerpts and occasional comments in footnotes.

Chapter 1 :  His manner of life in the secular state

- 4 - 

1. Thenceforward he withdrew him from the stir[1] of public business, devoutly praying the heavenly mercy that it would deign to shew him that which he ought to do. 

2. And so by the constant practice of prayer the flame of heavenly yearning was mightily kindled within him[2], and for the love of his heavenly fatherland he now contemned all earthly things as naught[3]; for he felt that he had found the hid treasure 

3. and, like a wise merchant man, meditated selling all that he had to buy the pearl that he had found[4]. 

4. But he knew not yet how to compass this, except that it was whispered unto his spirit that spiritual merchandise hath its beginning in the contempt of the world, and that the warfare[5] of Christ is to be begun by victory over self[6].

Footnotes

[1] “stir”: The Latin text has tumultu (from tumultus, -us, m. meaning uproar, bustle, commotion). Cf. “For you shall not go out in a tumult, neither shall you make haste by flight: For the Lord will go before you”: Is. LII, 12.

[2] Cf. “For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee”: II Tim. i, 6.

[3] Cf. “Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing.” Cant. viii, 7.

[4] Cf. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt. xiii, 44-46.

[5] “warfare”, translating “militia” in the Latin original. Cf. “the pursuit of earthly warfare having been laid aside, a place might be available for practising heavenly warfare”: Book III, Chapter 24 of Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People (731).

[6] Cf. “He that ruleth his spirit [is better] than he that taketh cities”: Prov. xvi, 32.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have lifeeverlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.