St Bonaventure’s Life of St Francis : Chapter 4 : 10

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 4 : Of the advancement of the Order under his hand, and of the confirmation of the Rule already sanctioned

- 10 -

“He beheld the Blessed Francis...uplifted in the air, his hands
outstretched after the manner of a Cross.” Apparition at Arles, by

Giotto (d. 1337). Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi.

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

1. Now as time went by, and the Brethren were multiplied, their watchful shepherd[1] began to call them together unto a Chapter General in the place of Saint Mary of the Little Portion (Portiuncula), so that, in accordance with God’s line of distribution within the land of poverty[2], he might allot unto each his portion of obedience.

2. Here, despite there being a lack of all things needful, a company of more than five thousand Brethren came together at one time. The divine mercy succoured them to ensure there was a sufficient supply of food, bodily health was maintained and spiritual joy abounded. 

3. In the provincial Chapters, even when Francis could not be physically present, his spiritual presence was evident in his zealous care for their governance, his urgency in prayer and the efficacy of his blessing. In fact there was one occasion when he did visibly appear by the operation of God’s marvellous power. 

4. For while that glorious preacher Anthony[3] (who is now a noted Confessor of Christ[4]) was preaching unto the Chapter of the Brethren at Arles on the title inscribed on the Cross: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” a certain Brother of proved uprightness, Monaldo by name, was moved by a divine impulse to look toward the door of the Chapter-house. There he beheld with his bodily eyes the Blessed Francis himself uplifted in the air, his hands outstretched after the manner of a Cross, blessing the Brethren. 

5. All the Brethren felt that they had been filled with a consolation of spirit so great and so new that the Spirit bore indubitable witness within them of the true presence of the holy Father. This was further assured, not only by manifest tokens, but also by external testimony through the words of that same holy Father. 

6. The almighty power of God vouchsafed unto the holy Bishop Ambrose to be present at the burial of the glorious Martin[5], so that he might honour the holy Pontiff with his holy ministry.

7. We must verily believe that He did also make His servant Francis appear at the preaching of His true herald Antony, so that he might sanction his preaching of the truth, and in particular his preaching of the Cross of Christ, whereof he was a supporter and servant.

Footnotes

[1] Cf. “Behold I myself will seek my sheep, and will visit them. As the shepherd visiteth his flock in the day when he shall be in the midst of his sheep that were scattered, so will I visit my sheep”: Exech. Xxxiv, 11-12; “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God”: 1 Pet. v, 2.

[2] Cf. “And he brought them into the mountain of his sanctuary: the mountain which his right hand had purchased. And he cast out the Gentiles before them: and by lot divided to them their land by a line of distribution.” Ps. LXXVII, 54; and: “And he named the second Ephraim, saying: God hath made me to grow in the land of my poverty.” Gen. xli, 52.

[3] St Anthony of Padua (1195-13 June 1231).

[4] Anthony was canonised in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX.

[5] There was a popular account circulating that on the day of St. Martin’s death in Tours (397), St. Ambrose was celebrating Mass in Milan. During the service, Ambrose seemed to fall asleep at the altar for three hours. When his deacons finally woke him, Ambrose explained that he had been delayed because he was burying his ‘brother Martin.’ See, e.g., Gregory of Tours in his De virtutibus Martini (6th. Century).

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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.