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.