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 1 :  Of his perfect conversion unto God and of the repairing of the 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.

St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 1 : 3

“When he had yielded himself unto sleep,the divine mercy shewed him a fair
and great palace.” The Dream of the Palace, by Giotto (1295). 
Upper 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

- 3 - 

1. Now on the night following, when he had yielded himself unto sleep, the divine mercy shewed him a fair and great palace, together with military accoutrements adorned with the sign of the Cross of Christ, thus setting forth unto him that the mercy he had shewn unto the poor soldier for the love of the King Most High was to be recompensed by this peerless reward. 

2. Accordingly, when he enquired whose were these things, answer was made him by a divine declaration that they were all to be for him and his soldiers. 

3. Then, waking at early morn – since he had not yet practised his mind in examining divine mysteries, and knew not how to pass through the appearance of things seen unto the beholding of the truth of things unseen[1] – he accounted this strange vision a token of great good fortune.

4. Wherefore he purposed, being as yet ignorant of the divine disposition, to betake himself into Apulia, unto a certain munificent Count, hoping in his service to win glory in arms, as the vision shewn unto him had betokened. 

5. With but little delay, he set forth on his journey and had gone as far as the neighbouring city; there he heard the Lord speaking unto him by night as with the voice of a friend, and saying: “Francis, who can do better for thee, the lord or the servant, the rich man or the poor ?” 

6. And when Francis had made reply that alike the lord and the rich man could do the best, the Voice answered forthwith: “Why, then, dost thou leave the Lord for the servant, the rich God for a poor mortal?” 

7. And Francis said: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”[2] And the Lord said unto him: “Return unto thy country[3], for the vision that thou hast seen betokeneth that which shall be spiritually wrought, and is to be fulfilled in thee not by mortal counsel, but by divine.” 

8. So, when it was morning,[4] he returned in haste toward Assisi, confident and rejoicing, awaiting the will of the Lord.

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him. But to us God hath revealed them, by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” I Cor. ii, 9-10; “The sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined. But the spiritual man judgeth all things; and he himself is judged of no man.” Ibid. 14-15.

[2] Cf. “And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts ix, 6.

[3] Cf. “Return to thy land and to the place of thy birth, and I will do well for thee.” Gen xxxii, 9.

[4] Cf. “But when the morning was come”: John xxi, 4.

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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 : 2

“He both covered the shame of a noble knight, and relieved the destitution

 of a poor man.” St Francis giving his cape to a poor man, by Velázquez (1787).

Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great, 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

- 2 - 

1. But as yet Francis knew not the intent of God concerning him, forasmuch as he was both drawn away unto external things by his father’s calling, and weighed down toward earthly things by the corruption inborn in our nature[1], and had not yet learned to contemplate heavenly things, nor accustomed himself to taste of divine.

2. And, because the infliction of tribulation giveth understanding unto the spirit[2], the hand of the Lord was upon him[3] and the changes of the right hand of the Most High[4], afflicting his body with protracted sickness, that so He might prepare his soul for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

3. Now when he had regained his bodily strength, and had made ready suitable apparel for himself in his wonted fashion, he met a certain soldier, of noble birth, but poor and ill-clad; 

4. whereupon, compassionating his poverty, with a kindly impulse he forthwith did take off his garments and put them on him, thus in one act fulfilling a twofold ministry of kindliness, insomuch as he both covered the shame of a noble knight, and relieved the destitution of a poor man[5].

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.” Ps. L, 7; “As by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned.” Rom. V, 12.

[2] Cf. “Vexation alone shall make you understand what you hear”: Is. xxviii.19. [vexātĭo, ōnis, f.: physical suffering, torment]

[3] Cf. “The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.” Ezech. i. 3.

[4] Cf. “And I said, Now have I begun: this is the change of the right hand of the most High.” Ps. LXXVI, 11.

[5] Cf. “when thou shalt see one naked, cover him,”: Is. LVIII, 7; “He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none;” Luke iii, 11; “For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him? . . . If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering: If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:” Job xxxi, 14, 19-20.

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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 : 1

“He was minded to give unto all that asked of him.” 
St Francis giving his mantle to a poor man, by Giotto (1297-99).
Upper Basilica of San Francesco d'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

- 1 - 

1. There was a man in the city of Assisi, by name Francis, whose memory is blessed,[1] for that God, graciously preventing him with the blessings of goodness,[2] delivered him in His mercy from the perils of this present life, and abundantly filled him with the gifts of heavenly grace. 

2. For, albeit in his youth he was reared in vanity amid the vain sons of men,[3] and, after gaining some knowledge of letters, was appointed unto a profitable business of merchandise, nevertheless, by the aid of the divine protection, he went not astray among the wanton youths after the lusts of the flesh, albeit given up unto pleasures; nor among the covetous merchants, albeit intent on his gains, did he put his trust in money and treasure.[4] 

3. For there was divinely implanted in the heart of the young Francis a certain generous compassion toward the poor, the which, growing up with him from infancy,[5] had so filled his heart with kindliness that, when he came to be no deaf hearer of the Gospel, he was minded to give unto all that asked of him,[6] in especial if they pleaded the love of God. 

4. But once on a time, when he had been busied with the cares of his trading, and, contrary unto his wont, had sent empty away a certain beggar who besought an alms for the love of God, he forthwith, returning unto his pitiful mind, ran after him, and bestowed alms in merciful wise upon him; promising unto the Lord God that thenceforward he would never, while he could, refuse any that asked of him, pleading the love of God. 

5. And this promise with unwearied goodness he did observe until his death, thereby winning abundant increase of the love and grace of God.[7] 

6. For he was wont to say in after time, when he had perfectly put on Christ,[8] that, even while he was in the secular state, he could scarce ever hear words telling of the love of God, and remain unmoved in heart. 

7. Assuredly the charm of his gentleness and his courtly bearing, his submissiveness and docility surpassing men’s wont, his open-handed largesse even beyond his means, were all clear tokens of the fair disposition of the youth, 

8. and seemed to be a presage of the abundance of divine blessing that should thereafter be poured out more richly upon him.

9. A certain citizen of Assisi, a simpleton as was believed, yet one taught of God, whensoever he met Francis going through the city, would doff his cloak 

10. and spread the garment before his feet,[9] declaring that Francis was worthy of all honour, as one that should ere long do mighty deeds, and was on this account to be splendidly honoured by all the faithful.

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “There was a man . . . whose name was Job, and that man was simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil.” Job i, 1.

[2] Cf. “For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness:” Ps. XX, 4.

[3] Cf. “But vain are the sons of men, the sons of men are liars in the balances: that by vanity they may together deceive”: Ps. LXI, 10.

[4] Cf. “Blessed is the rich man found without blemish: that hath not . . . put his trust in money nor in treasures.” Sir. xxxi, 8.

[5] Cf. “For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother’s womb:” Job XXXI, 18.

[6] Cf. “Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.” Luke vi, 30.

[7] Cf. “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. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” Matt. xxv, 35-40.

[8] Cf. “For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ.” Gal. iii, 27.

[9] Cf. “And as he went, they spread their clothes underneath in the way.” Luke xix, 36.

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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.