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| “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. |
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
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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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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.
The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.
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.
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