The Beginning or Founding of the Order and the Deeds of Those Lesser Brothers Who Were the First Companions of Blessed Francis in Religion
[Prologue]
2Servants of the Lord should not be ignorant of the lives and teachings of saints through which they can come to God. Therefore, for the honor of God and the edification of readers and listeners, I, who saw their deeds, listened to their words, and also became their disciple, have compiled and recounted, as the Lord inspired me, some deeds of our most blessed Father Francis and of a few of the brothers who lived at the beginning of the religion.a
Chapter I
HOW BLESSED FRANCIS BEGAN TO SERVE GOD
3On the sixteenth of April, after one thousand two hundred and seven years had been completed since the Incarnation of the Lord,b God saw that His people, whom He had redeemed by the precious blood of His only begotten Son, had forgotten His commandments and were ungrateful for His goodness. Although they deserved death, He had been merciful toward them for a long time, desiring not the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live. Impelled by His most bountiful mercy, God willed to send workers into His vineyard.
He enlightened a man who was in the city of Assisi, Francis by name, a merchant by trade, and a very vain spendthrift of worldly wealth.
4One day he was in the shop where he customarily sold cloth, totally absorbed in business, when a poor man came in, begging alms for the Lord's sake. Preoccupied with thoughts of wealth and care of the business, Francis sent him away without giving him alms. After the poor man left, touched by divine grace, he began to accuse himself of great rudeness,a saying: "If the poor man had asked in the name of a count or a powerful baron, you would have granted him his request. How much more should you have done this for the King of Kings and the Lord of all?"
Because of this incident, he resolved in his heart, from then on, never to refuse a request from anyone asking in the name of so great a Lord. He called the poor man back and gave him a generous alms.
O heart, I say, full of all grace, fruitful and enlightened!
O unswerving and holy resolve,b
followed by that wonderful and unexpected omen for the future!
We should not be surprised,
for the Holy Spirit said through Isaiah:
When you will pour out your soul to the hungry
and will refresh the afflicted soul,
your light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall be for you like midday.
And
If you bestow your bread on the hungry,
then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your justice will go before your face.
5 After a while, a marvelous thing happened to this blessed man which in my estimation should not be passed over in silence. One night when he was asleep in his bed, someone appeared to him calling him by name. He led him into a palace of unspeakable beauty, filled with military arms, its walls covered everywhere with shining shields emblazoned with crosses.
He inquired to whom these brightly shining arms and this beautiful palace belonged. "All these things, including the palace," said the guide, "belong to you and your knights."
Upon awakening, he began to interpret this in a worldly way, like someone who had not yet fully tasted God's Spirit. He thought he would become a magnificent prince. After giving the matter much thought, he decided to become a knight to obtain this princely power. After having as expensive a wardrobe as possible made for himself, he arranged to join up with a noble count in Apulia, to be knighted by him.a
Everyone marveled that he was happier than usual, and when they asked him the reason why, he answered: "I know that I am going to be a great prince."
6 After obtaining a squire, he mounted his horse and rode toward Apulia.
It was night when he arrived in Spoleto and, anxious about his trip, he retired for the night. Half asleep, he heard a voice asking him where he intended to go. He outlined to him his whole plan.b The voice then asked him: "Who can do more for you, the lord or the servant?" "The lord," he answered. "Then why are you abandoning the lord for the servant, and the patron for the client?" To which Francis responded: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" "Go back," it said, "to your own land to do what the Lord will tell you."
It seemed to him that divine grace had suddenly made him a different man.
7 But when it was morning, he returned home as he had been told.
And when, on the way back, he reached Foligno,c he sold the horse he was riding as well as the wardrobe with which he had equipped himself for the expedition to Apulia, and put on cheaper clothing.
While he was returning from Foligno to Assisi, carrying the money he had obtained from these things, he approached a church built in honor of Saint Damian. He found the poor resident priest, named Peter,d and gave him that money for safekeeping. Not having a safe place to keep it, the priest refused the money. When the man of God, Francis, heard this, he threw the money on the windowsill of that church for he considered it worthless. Led by God's Spirit, he resolved to use the money to rebuild its structure, seeing that the church was poor and on the verge of collapse. He decided to reside there and do something to help its impoverished condition. After a while, with God's approval, he completed the undertaking.
8 When his father learned of this, he began to vent his rage against him, for he loved him in a worldly way and was longing for the money. He abused Francis with insults, demanding he return the money.
In the presence of the bishop of Assisi, he promptly gave back to his father the money and clothes he was wearing. He stood there naked under the cloak of the bishop, who embraced him.
Without any worldly possessions, dressed in cheap and very miserable clothing, he went back to that church to stay there. The Lord enriched the poor and contemptible man. Filling him with His Holy Spirit, He put into his mouth the words of life that he might preach and announce to the people judgment and mercy, punishment and glory and to recall to their minds the commandments of God they had forgotten. The Lord made him the prince over a multitude of nations which God had gathered into one from the whole world through him.
The Lord led him on a straight and narrow path. Desiring to possess neither gold nor silver, nor money nor any other thing, he followed the Lord in humility, poverty, and the simplicity of his heart.
9 Walking about barefoot, he wore a contemptible habit with a wretched belt.
And whenever his father met him, overwhelmed with great sorrow, he would curse him. The blessed man, however, took with him a poor old man named Albertoa and asked him for a blessing.
Many people used to laugh at him, insulting him with spiteful words. Almost everyone considered him mad. But he did not care, nor did he answer them; instead, he strove with all eagerness to fulfill the task God had shown him. He walked not in the learned words of human wisdom, but in the display and the power of the Spirit. 1 Cor 2:4
Chapter II
THE FIRST TWO BROTHERS
WHO FOLLOWED BLESSED FRANCIS
10 When they saw and heard these things, two men from Assisi, inspired by divine grace, humbly approached him. One of these was Brother Bernard, and the other, Brother Peter.a They told Francis simply: "We wish to live with you from now on and do what you are doing. Tell us, therefore, what we should do with our possessions." Overjoyed at their coming and their resolve he answered them kindly: "Let us go and seek counsel from the Lord."
So they went to one of the city's churches. Upon entering it, they fell on their knees and humbly prayed: "Lord, God, Father of glory, we beg you in your mercy, show us what we are to do." After finishing the prayer, they asked the priest of the church who was there: "Sir, would you show us the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ."
11 And, since before this happened none of them knew how to read very well,b when the priest opened up the book, they immediately found the passage If you wish to be perfect, go, sell everything you possess and give to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Mk 10:21 c Opening up the book a second time, they discovered: Whoever wishes to come after me . . . . Mt 16:24 When they opened up the book for the third time, they came upon: Take nothing for the journey . . . Lk 9:3 When they heard this, they were filled with great joy and exclaimed: "This is what we want, this is what we were seeking." And blessed Francis said: "This will be our rule." Then he told both of them: "Go and may you fulfill the Lord's counsel as you heard it."
Then Brother Bernard, who was rich, sold all his possessions, acquiring a large sum of money from the transaction. Brother Peter, on the other hand, who was poor in worldly goods, now became rich in spiritual goods. Therefore, he also did as the Lord's counsel would have it. Summoning the city's poor people, they gave them the money acquired from the sale of their goods.
12 While they were doing this, and blessed Francis was present, a priest named Sylvester came. Blessed Francis had purchased stones from him for the repair of the church of San Damiano where he had lived before he acquired brothers.
When the priest saw them giving away so much money, consumed by a burning passion of greed, he craved to be given some of that money. "Francis," he said, "you did not pay me well for the stones which you bought from me." When blessed Francis, who had renounced all greed, heard him complaining unjustly, he approached Brother Bernard and putting his hand into his cloak where the money was, took out a handful of coins and gave them to the priest. He put his hand into the cloak a second time, pulled out some coins, as he had done before, and gave them to the priest. "Do you now have full payment?" he asked. "I have it fully," he replied. Overjoyed the priest returned home.
13 A few days later, the priest, inspired by the Lord, began to reflect on what blessed Francis had done. "Am I not miserable?" he said to himself. "Old as I am, don't I still covet and desire the things of this world, and doesn't this youth despise and scorn them for the love of God?"
The following night he saw in a dream an immense cross whose top reached to the heavens, while its base rested in the mouth of blessed Francis. The arms of the cross reached from one part of the world to the other.
Upon awakening, the priest then believed that blessed Francis was indeed God's friend and that the religion he had founded would spread all over the world. From that time on, he began to fear God and do penance in his own home. And after a little time had passed, he entered the Order of the brothers where he lived well and ended gloriously.a
Chapter III
THE FIRST PLACE WHERE THEY STAYED
AND PERSECUTION BY THEIR RELATIVES
14 Once Brother Bernard and Brother Peter sold their possessions and gave the money to the poor, as we mentioned, they dressed like the man of God, blessed Francis, and became his companions.
Having no place to stay, they went and found a poor and nearly abandoned church called Saint Mary of the Portiuncula. There they built a small dwelling where they all lived together.
After eight days a man from that city, Giles, came to them. He was a very dedicated and faithful man, on whom God bestowed many graces.a On his knees, he begged blessed Francis with great devotion and reverence to accept him into his company. When he heard and saw this, Blessed Francis was filled with joy and received him enthusiastically with open arms. And so the four of them had boundless joy and exceptionally great spiritual joy.
15Blessed Francis then took Brother Giles with himself to the Marches of Ancona, while the other two remained behind. As they were going along, they rejoiced not a little in the Lord. Francis, the man of God, reveled in a very loud voice, singing out in French, praising and blessing the Lord.
Indeed they were filled with great joy, as if they had just acquired an immense treasure. They were able to rejoice so much because they had forsaken so much, and considered as dung the things over which people usually grieve. They regarded as bitter what people of the world consider desirable, things that bring about much misery and grief.
Then blessed Francis told his companion, Brother Giles: "Our religion will be like a fisherman who casts his nets into the water, catching a great number of fish. Seeing the large number of fish, he puts the big ones in his baskets, leaving the small ones in the water." Giles was astonished at the prophecy that the saint uttered, for he knew how few the brothers were.
The man of God did not yet preach to the people. But while they were going through towns and villages, he would encourage men and women to fear and love the Creator of heaven and earth and to do penance for their sins.b Brother Giles would respond: "What he says is very good. Believe him."
16 Those who heard them would say to each other: "Who are these men, and what are these words they're saying?"
Some of them used to say that they seemed to be fools or drunkards, while others would say: "The words coming out of their mouths are not those of fools." One of them said: "Either they are clinging to the Lord for the sake of the highest perfection, or they have gone mad, for their physical life seems reckless. They walk barefoot, wear cheap clothing, and eat very little." Yet there was no one who followed them at that time. Young women, seeing them at a distance, would run away fearing they would be taken in by foolishness. Even though hardly anyone followed them, people remained nevertheless in awe at the holy way of life with which they seemed to be marked for the Lord's sake.
After they had traveled around that province, the brothers returned to Saint Mary of the Portiuncula.
17 After a few days had elapsed, three other men from Assisi, Brother Sabbatino,a Brother Johnb and Brother Morico the Short,c came to them, humbly begging Blessed Francis to admit them into his company. He received them kindly and eagerly.
However, when they went about the city begging alms, scarcely anyone was willing to give to them; instead they would tell them: "You got rid of your own possessions, and now you want to eat those of others." Thus, they suffered extreme want. Even their relatives and families would persecute them. Others from that city—great and small, men and women—would scorn and ridicule them as senseless and stupid, except for the city's bishop to whom the blessed Francis frequently went to seek counsel.d
The reason their families and relatives used to persecute them, while others ridiculed them, was because at that time you could not find anyone who would abandon all his possessions and go begging from door to door.
One day when the blessed Francis had gone to that bishop, the bishop told him: "It seems to me that your life is very rough and hard, not having or possessing anything in this world." The saint of God answered: "Lord, if we had any possessions, we would need arms to protect them because they cause many disputes and lawsuits. And possessions usually impede the love of God and neighbor. Therefore we do not want to possess anything in this world."
And this answer pleased the bishop.
Chapter IV
HOW HE ADMONISHED THE BROTHERS
AND SENT THEM THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
18 Saint Francis, since he was already filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, predicted what would happen to his brothers. And calling together his six brothers in the woods next to the church of Saint Mary of the Portiuncula where they often went to pray, he told them: "My dear brothers, let us consider our calling because God has mercifully called us not only for our own good but also for the salvation of many. Therefore, let us go through the world, encouraging and teaching men and women by word and example to do penance for their sins and to remember the Lord's commandments, which they have forgotten for such a long time."
He also told them: "Do not be afraid, little flock, Lk 12:32 but have confidence in the Lord. And do not say among yourselves 'We are simple and illiterate men, how should we preach?' But be mindful of the Lord's words to his disciples: 'You yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.' Mt 10:20 For the Lord Himself will give you spirit and wisdom to encourage and preach to men and their wives the way and deeds of the commandments. You will find, however, faithful people—meek, humble and kind—who will receive you and your words with joy and love. You will find others—unfaithful, proud, and blasphemous—resisting and criticizing you and your words. Therefore, resolve in your hearts to bear all these things with patience and humility."
When the brothers heard these words, they were afraid. Realizing that they were frightened, he told them: "Do not be frightened. Keep in mind that within a short time many learned, prudent and noble men will be with us. They will preach to nations and peoples, to kings and princes, and many people will be converted to the Lord. And the Lord will make His family grow and increase throughout the entire world."
After saying this, Francis blessed them and they went on their way.
Chapter V
THE PERSECUTIONS WHICH THE BROTHERS ENDURED
AS THEY WENT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
19 Wherever these devout servants of the Lord walked along and came upon a church, whether in use or abandoned, or upon some cross alongside the road, they would pray devoutly: "We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, and in all your churches throughout the whole world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world." And they believed and felt that they had found a place of the Lord. Those who saw them were amazed: "We have never seen religious dressed like this." They seemed to differ from all others by their habit and lifestyle, like wild men. When they entered a city, town or a home, they would announce peace. Whenever they saw men or women on the streets or in the piazzas, they would encourage them to fear and love the Creator of heaven and earth, to remember His commandments that they had forgotten, and to strive to fulfill them. Some people willingly and joyfully listened to the brothers; others, however, jeered at them. Many people repeatedly questioned them, and it was extremely wearisome to answer so many questions because new situations often gave rise to new questions. Some asked them: "Where do you come from?" While others asked: "To which Order do you belong?" They answered simply: "We are penitents and were born in Assisi." At that time the religion of the brothers was not yet called an order.a
20 Many who saw and heard them considered them impostors or fools. Someone among them remarked: "I wouldn't care to invite them into my house; they would probably steal my belongings." And because of this, any number of insults were inflicted on them in many places. Therefore they very frequently sought lodging in the porticos of churches or houses.
About this time two brothersb were in the city of Florence, going throughout the city in search of a place to stay, but were unable to find any. When they found a house with a portico containing a bread-oven, they said to each other: "We can stay here." They therefore asked the lady of the house if she would please welcome them into her home. When she instantly refused, they begged her at least to let them spend that night near the oven.
She let them do this. However, when her husband came home, and saw the brothers on the porch near the oven, he said to her: "Why did you offer lodging to these two rogues?" She answered: "I didn't want to offer them hospitality in the house, but gave them permission to stay on the porch where they couldn't steal anything from us except the firewood." On account of this distrust, they did not want to give the brothers anything to cover themselves, although the weather was severely cold. During that night the brothers got up for matins and went to the nearest church.
21 When morning came, the lady went to church to hear Mass and ;saw them remaining devoutly and humbly in prayer. She said to herself: "If these men were evildoers, as my husband claimed, they would not be praying so reverently."
While she was thinking these things, a man named Guido was going around the church distributing alms to the poor. When he approached the brothers, he attempted to give each one a coin, as he had done to the others, but they refused to take it. He told them: "Why don't you accept coins like the other poor people, for I see that you are just as poor and needy?" One of them, Bernard, answered him: "While it is true that we are poor, our poverty is not as burdensome for us as it is for the other poor, for we have become poor by the grace of God and in fulfillment of His counsel."
22 Astonished, the man asked them if they had ever possessed anything in the world. They told him that they in fact had, but for the love of God had given their belongings to the poor.
When that woman considered that the brothers had refused the coins, she approached them and said: "Christians, if you want to come back to my hospitality, I will gladly receive you into my home." The brothers answered her with humility: "May the Lord reward you." When that man realized that the brothers were unable to find lodging, he took them to his own house and told them: "Look, this is the lodging that the Lord has prepared for you. Stay here as long as you want." The brothers thanked God for showing them His mercy and for hearing the cries of the poor. They stayed with him several days. Because of their words and good example, he was afterwards very generous to the poor.
23 Although they were treated by this man with kindness, others considered them good-for-nothings, so much so that many, the small and the great, treated them and spoke to them "as masters with their servants." Although the brothers wore the poorest and cheapest clothes, for amusement many people still took these away from them. And so, even though they were left naked, for they had only one tunic, the brothers nevertheless always observed the form of the Gospel by not demanding back what was taken from them. Lk 6:29 However, if motivated by piety, the people returned the tunic, they willingly accepted it.
People threw mud at the heads of some of the brothers; to others they shoved dice in their hands, inviting them to play. One brother was carried by the capuche across someone's back, for as long as he pleased.a These things, as well as many others, were inflicted on them. But we will not go on about these things, for it would unduly prolong our words. In a word, people considered them most despicable; that is why they nonchalantly and brazenly persecuted them as if they were criminals. In addition, they endured a great deal of hardship and suffering from hunger and thirst, from cold and nakedness. They suffered all these things with constancy and patience, as blessed Francis had counseled them. They did not become dejected or distressed, but exalted and rejoiced in their misfortunes like men placed at a great advantage. They fervently prayed for their persecutors. Mt 5:44
24 When people saw them rejoicing in their tribulations and enduring them patiently for the Lord, unceasing in very devout prayer, neither accepting nor carrying money like other indigent poor people did, possessing such a great love for one another that they were known to be the Lord's disciples, many of them, by the kindness of the Lord, experienced a change of heart. They came to them, begging forgiveness for their offenses against them. Those men forgave them from their hearts and joyfully told them: "May the Lord forgive you." And so, from then on, the people willingly listened to them.
Some asked them to receive them into their society. And they accepted many of them,b for, at this time, because of the small number of the brothers, each one had received from blessed Francis authority to admit whomever he wished. At the established time, they came back to Saint Mary of the Portiuncula.
Chapter VI
THE BROTHERS' MANNER OF LIVING
AND THE LOVE THEY HAD FOR ONE ANOTHER
25 Each time they saw one another, the brothers were filled with such delight and spiritual joy that they forgot all the adversity and the extreme poverty they had suffered.
Every day they were conscientious about prayer and working with their hands to avoid all idleness, the enemy of the soul. At night, they were equally conscientious about rising in the middle of the night according to that passage of the Prophet: At midnight I rise to give you thanks and they prayed devoutly with frequent tears.
They loved one another from the heart and each one served and took care of the other, as a mother serves and cares for her son. The fire of love burned so intensely in them, that they would have willingly sacrificed their lives not only for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also for one another.
26 One day, two brothers were walking along a road when suddenly a simpleton began throwing stones at them. One of them, seeing that a stone was about to strike his brother, ran directly in front of him. Because of ardent mutual love, he preferred that the stone strike him rather than his brother. They frequently did these and similar things.
They were rooted and founded in love and humility, and one would respect the other as if he were his master. Whoever among them excelled because of a position or gifts of grace, seemed even more humble and self-effacing than the others.
They all dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to obedience: the moment the one giving an order opened his mouth, their feet were ready to go, their hands set to carry it out. Whatever they were ordered, they considered to be to the Lord's will. Thus it was pleasant and easy for them to fulfill everything.
They abstained from carnal desires and, in order to avoid being judged, they judged themselves carefully.
27 If one unwittingly uttered a word that could possibly give offense to another, his conscience reproached him so much that he could find no peace until he confessed his fault. Then, lying flat on the ground, he made the other—no matter how unwilling he was—put his foot on his mouth. If the other refused to do this, then, should the one who uttered the offensive word be a prelate, he would command him to do it; otherwise he would have a prelate command him.a They did these things to rid themselves of ill will and to preserve perfect love with each other at all times. And so they strove to combat each vice with a corresponding virtue.
Whatever they had, a book or a tunic, was used in common and no one called anything his own, just as it was done in the primitive church of the Apostles.
Although extreme poverty abounded in them, they were always generous, and spontaneously shared the alms given them with all who asked for the love of God.
28 When they went along and came upon poor people begging from them, some of the brothers would give them some of their clothing, since they had nothing else to give. One of them even tore the capuche from his tunic and gave it to a poor beggar;a while another tore off a sleeve and gave it away; and still others gave away a part of their tunic to observe that Gospel passage: Give to all who ask of you. Lk 6:30
One day a poor man came to the church of Saint Mary of the Portiuncula where the brothers were staying and asked for alms. There was a cloak there that one of them had while he was still in the world. Blessed Francis told the brother, whose cloak it was, to give it to the poor man.b He freely and quickly gave it to him. And immediately, because of the reverence and dedication that the brother had in donating the gift, it seemed to him that the alms rose up to heaven and he felt himself filled with a new spirit.
29 When the rich of this world went out of their way to visit them, they received them quickly and kindly, and would invite them to call them back from evil, and prompt them to do penance.
At that time, the brothers would eagerly beg not to be sent to where they had been raised so that, in this way, they would avoid association and dealings with their relatives and observe the words of the Prophet: I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother's sons. Ps 69:9 [Vulgate, Ps 68:9]
They rejoiced most in their poverty, for they desired no riches except those of eternity. They never possessed gold or silver, and, although they despised all wealth of this world, it was money especially that they trampled under foot.
30 One day while the brothers were staying at Saint Mary of the Portiuncula, some people came for a visit. They entered the church and placed some money on the altar without their knowledge. Then, one of the brothers, entering the church, took the coins he had found, and put them on the church's windowsill. Another brother, when he found the money where the other one left it, took it to Saint Francis.
When blessed Francis heard this, he diligently asked which one of the brothers had placed the money there. When he found out who it was, he ordered him to come to him. "Why did you do this?" he said. "Didn't you know that I want the brothers not only to avoid using money, but also not even to touch it?" When the brother heard this, he bowed his head, confessed his fault on his knees, and asked that a penance be given him. Francis then ordered him to carry the money out of the church in his mouth and, when he came upon some ass's dung, to place the money upon it. The brother very diligently fulfilled this. Then Francis admonished the brothers that whenever they found money, they should scorn it and consider it worthless.
They were constantly rejoicing, for they had nothing that could disturb them. The more they were separated from the world, the more were they united to God. These men entered upon a narrow and rough trail. They broke up the rocks, trampled upon the thorns, and so have left us, their followers, a smooth path.
Chapter VII
HOW THEY TRAVELED TO ROME
AND HOW THE LORD POPE GRANTED THEM A RULE
AND THE OFFICE OF PREACHING
31 As he realized that the Savior's grace was increasing his brothers in number and merit, blessed Francis told them: "Brothers, I see that the Lord intends to make of us a large congregation. Therefore, let us go to our mother, the Roman Church, and inform the Supreme Pontiff about what the Lord is doing through us so we may continue doing what we have begun by his will and command." Since what Francis said pleased the rest of the brothers, he took the twelve with him, and they went to Rome.a
While they were on the way, he told them: "Let us make one of us the leader and consider him the vicar of Jesus Christ for us. Wherever he wants to go, we will go; when he wants to rest, we will rest." They chose Brother Bernard, who was the first to be received by the blessed Francis, and they did as he said.
They made their way rejoicing and spoke about the words of the Lord. No one dared to say anything unless it pertained to the Lord's praise and glory or to the benefit of their souls, and they spent time in prayer. The Lord, on the other hand, prepared lodging and food for them as the need arose.
32 When they arrived in Rome, they met the bishop of the city of Assisi who was then staying in the City.a When he saw them, he welcomed them with immense joy.
Now, the bishop was acquainted with one of the cardinals, the Lord John of St. Paul, a good and religious man, who loved servants of the Lord very much.b The bishop of Assisi familiarized him with the proposal and life of blessed Francis and his brothers. After he heard these things, he had a strong desire to meet blessed Francis and some of the brothers. When he heard that they were in the City, he sent for them and had them come to him. Seeing them, he welcomed them with eagerness and love.
33 Even though they stayed with him for only a few days, he came to love them from the depths of his heart, because he saw shining forth in their actions all he had heard about them. He told blessed Francis: "I commend myself to your prayers and, from now on, I want you to consider me as one of your brothers. Therefore, tell me, why did you come?" Then blessed Francis made known to him his whole proposal: how he wanted to speak to the Apostolic Lord and, with his approval and mandate, to continue what he was doing. To which the cardinal responded: "I want to be your procurator at the Curia of the Lord Pope."
Thus it was that he went to the Curia and told the Lord Pope Innocent the Third: "I found a most perfect man who wishes to live according to the form of the holy Gospel and to observe evangelical perfection. Through him, I believe the Lord intends to renew His church in the entire world." When he heard this, the Lord Pope was amazed and told him: "Bring him to me."
34 On the following day, therefore, he brought him to the pope.
Blessed Francis laid his whole proposal before the Lord Pope, just as he had previously done to the cardinal.
The Lord Pope answered him: "Your life is too hard and severe, if you wish to found a congregation possessing nothing in this world. For where will you obtain the necessities of life?" Blessed Francis responded: "My Lord, I trust in my Lord Jesus Christ. Since He has promised to give us life and glory in heaven, He will not deprive us of our bodily necessities when we need them on earth." "What you say is true, son," the pope replied, "but human nature is weak and never remains in the same state.a But, go and pray to the Lord with all your heart, so that He may show you what is better and more beneficial for your souls. Come back and tell me and I will then grant it."
35 Francis withdrew to pray. With a pure heart, he prayed to the Lord that in His ineffable piety He would reveal this to him. While he was engaged in prayer, with his whole heart focused on the Lord, the word of the Lord came into his heart and spoke to him figuratively. "There lived in the realm of a great king a very poor but beautiful woman, who caught the king's eye and by whom he fathered many sons. One day that woman began to think to herself: 'What am I to do, a poor woman with so many sons? I have no possessions to provide them with a livelihood!' While she was pondering all these things in her heart, her face became sad. When the king arrived, he said to her 'What is the matter? I see that you are lost in thought and sad.' With her whole heart she told him all her thoughts. The king told her: 'Do not be afraid of your dire poverty, nor of the sons you have, and the many you will have. If the many hired hands in my house have their fill of food, I certainly do not want my own sons to die of hunger. No, I want them to have even more than the others.'"
The man of God, Francis, immediately understood that the poor woman symbolized him.b As a result, the man of God strengthened his resolve to observe most holy poverty in the future.
36 Getting up at that very hour, he went to the Apostolic Lord, and told him all that the Lord had revealed to him.
On hearing this, the Lord Pope was greatly amazed that the Lord had revealed His will to so simple a man. And he realized that he was not proceeding according to human wisdom, but in the display and power of the Spirit. 1 Cor 2:4
Then blessed Francis bowed down and humbly and devotedly promised obedience and reverence to the Lord Pope. And the other brothers, because they had not yet promised obedience, likewise promised obedience and reverence to blessed Francis according to the precept of the Lord Pope.
The Lord Pope approved the rule for him and his brothers, both present and future.a He also gave him authority to preach everywhere as the grace of the Holy Spirit was given him and that the other brothers were also to preach, provided that blessed Francis gave them the office of preaching.
From then on, blessed Francis began preaching to the people in the cities and villages, as the Spirit of the Lord revealed to him. The Lord placed in his mouth uncompromising, honey-flowing, and very sweet words, so that hardly anyone ever tired of listening to him.
Because of his great love for the Brother,b that cardinal had all twelve of them given the tonsure.c
Afterwards, Blessed Francis ordered that a chapter be held twice a year, on Pentecost and on the feast of Saint Michael in the month of September.
Chapter VIII
HOW HE ORDERED THAT A CHAPTER BE HELD
AND THE MATTERS TO BE TREATED AT THE CHAPTER
37 On Pentecost all the brothers used to gather for a chapter near the church of Saint Mary of the Portiuncula. At the chapter they would discuss how they could better observe the Rule. They appointed brothers who would preach to the people throughout each of the provinces, and assigned brothers in their province. Saint Francis used to give the brothers admonitions, corrections and precepts, as it seemed best to him, after consulting the Lord.a Everything, however, that he said in word, he would first, with eagerness and affection, show them in deed.
He used to revere prelates and priests of the holy Church. He would respect the elderly, and honored the noble and the wealthy. He loved the poor intimately and showed compassion to them. In a word, he showed himself to be subject to all.
Although he was more exalted than all other brothers, he still appointed one of the brothers staying with him as his guardian and master. He humbly and devoutly obeyed him, in order to avoid any occasion of pride. Among people this saint lowered his head even to the ground, and for this the Lord lifted him on high among the saints and elect in heaven.
He zealously used to admonish them to observe the holy Gospel and the Rule conscientiously as they had promised; and especially to be reverent toward ecclesiastical offices and regulations; to be attentive and devoted when hearing Mass, and when they saw the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were to have reverence toward priests who handle these tremendous and greatest sacraments and, whenever they encountered them, they were to bow their heads to them and kiss their hands. If they found them on horseback, they were to make a sign of reverence, kissing not only the hands of a priest, but, out of reverence for their power, even the hooves of their horses.
38 He also admonished them not to judge or look down upon anyone, not even those who drink and eat and dress extravagantly, as stated in the Rule. "Their Lord is also our Lord. He who called us can call them, and He who willed to justify us can also justify them."
He would say: "And I wish to honor them as my brothers and masters. They are my brothers, because we are all from the one Creator; they are my masters because they help us to do penance, providing us with necessities of life." He also told them: "Let your way of life among the people be such that whoever sees or hears you will glorify and praise our heavenly Father."
His great desire was that he and his brothers would perform deeds through which the Lord would be praised. He used to tell them: "As you announce peace with your mouth, make sure that you have greater peace in your hearts, thus no one will be provoked to anger or scandal because of you. Let everyone be drawn to peace and kindness through your peace and gentleness. For we have been called to this: to cure the wounded, to bind up the broken, and to recall the erring. Many who seem to us members of the devil will yet be disciples of Christ."
39 On the other hand, he used to reprove them for the great austerity which they brought upon their bodies, for the brothers were then exerting too much effort in fasts, vigils, and bodily mortification in order to repress within themselves every urge of the flesh. They would inflict so much discomfort on themselves that it seemed they hated themselves. When he heard and saw this, blessed Francis reprimanded them, as we said, and ordered them not to act excessively. He was so filled with the Savior's grace and wisdom, that he would make his admonition with kindness, his reprimand with reason, and his command with gentleness.
Among the brothers assembled at chapter, not one of them dared to discuss worldly matters with anyone. Instead, they spoke about the lives of the holy fathers, or about the holiness of one of the brothers, or how they could better attain the grace of our Lord.
If any of the brothers gathered at chapter experienced temptations of the flesh or the world, or some other kind of trial, the temptations would go away either on hearing blessed Francis who would speak fervently and sweetly, or on seeing his presence. For he spoke to them compassionately, not as a judge, but as a father to his children and a doctor to his patient, so that, the words of the Apostle were fulfilled in him: Who is weak that I amnot affected by it? Who is scandalized that I am not aflame with indignation?
Chapter IX
HOW THE BROTHERS WERE SENT
THROUGHOUT ALL THE PROVINCES OF THE WORLD
40 Once a chapter had ended, he would bless all the brothers at chapter and designated each of them throughout the provinces, as he wished.a Whoever of them had the spirit of God and the eloquence for preaching—cleric or lay—to him he would give permission and an obedience to preach. They received his blessing with great happiness and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ. They went through the world as strangers and pilgrims, 1 Pt 2:11 taking nothing for the journey, except the books in which they could say their Hours.
Whenever they met a priest, whether rich or poor, they bowed to him, as blessed Francis had taught them, and paid their respect. When it was time to seek lodging, they preferred to stay with them, rather than with secular persons.
41 When they could not find lodging with priests, they would inquire who in that locality was a good and God-fearing person with whom they could be more suitably welcomed. After a while, the Lord inspired one such God-fearing person in each of the cities and towns they were prepared to visit to prepare a lodging for them, until, after a while, they built their own dwellings in the cities and towns.
The Lord gave the brothers the words and spirit suited to the time, to speak with incisive words, penetrating the hearts of many, but especially the young more than the elderly. Those who abandoned mother and father, and all their possessions, put on the habit of the holy religion. At that time and particularly in that religion, the word of the Lord in the Gospel was fulfilled: Do not suppose that mymission on earth is to spread peace. My mission is to spread not peace, but division. I have come to set a man at odds with his father and a daughter with her mother. Those whom the brothers accepted, they brought to the blessed Francis to invest them.
In the same way, many women, virgins and those without husbands, hearing their preaching, would come to them with contrite hearts, saying: "And we, what are we to do? We cannot stay with you. So tell us what we can do to save our souls." In response, they established, in every city they could, reclusive monasteries for doing penance.a They also appointed one of the brothers their visitator and corrector.
Similarly, married men said: "We have wives who will not permit us to send them away. Teach us, therefore, the way that we can take more securely." The brothers founded an order for them, called the Order of Penitents, and had it approved by the Supreme Pontiff.a
Chapter X
WHEN THE CARDINALS BECAME KINDLY DISPOSED TOWARD THE BROTHERS
AND BEGAN TO COUNSEL AND OFFER THEM ASSISTANCE
42 The venerable father, the Lord Cardinal, John of Saint Paul, who frequently offered counsel and protection to blessed Francis, would praise the merits and deeds of blessed Francis and all of his brothers to all the other cardinals. When they heard him, their hearts were moved to loving the brothers and each of them desired to have some brothers in his Curia, not for receiving service from them, but because of the devotion and love that they had toward the brothers.
One day when blessed Francis came to the Curia, particular cardinals asked him for some brothers; and he graciously acceded to their request.
Lord John of St. Paul, the man who loved the holy poor men, died and rested in peace.
43 After this, the Lord inspired one of the cardinals, Hugolino, the bishop of Ostia, who loved blessed Francis and his brothers very much, not merely as a friend, but even more as a father. When blessed Francis heard of his reputation, he approached him. When the cardinal saw him, he received him with joy and said: "I offer myself to you for counsel, assistance, and protection as you wish, and I want you to have me remembered in your prayers."
Blessed Francis gave thanks to the Most High for inspiring that man's heart to offer advice, assistance, and protection, and told him: "I gladly want to have you as the father and lord of me and of all my brothers. And I want all my brothers to be bound to pray to the Lord for you." Then he invited him to come to the chapter of the brothers at Pentecost. He agreed and came each year.
Whenever he came, all the brothers gathered at the chapter would go in procession to meet him. As they were coming, he would dismount from his horse and go on foot with the brothers to the church because of the devotion he had for them. Afterward he would preach to them and celebrate Mass during which blessed Francis would chant the Gospel.
Chapter XI
HOW THE CHURCH PROTECTED THE BROTHERS FROM PERSECUTORS
44 After eleven years had passed since the founding of the religion and the number of brothers had increased, ministers were elected and sent with some of the brothers throughout almost all the provinces of the world where the Catholic faith was practiced.b
In some of the provinces they were received, but were not allowed to build houses. From others they were expelled, because people feared that the brothers were not faithful Christians, for the brothers did not as yet have a rule confirmed by the pope, but one merely allowed by him.c For that reason, after they had endured many trials from clerics and laity and had been stripped by thieves, they returned to blessed Francis very embittered and depressed. And these trials beset them in Hungary, Germany, and other provinces beyond the Alps.
The brothers informed the Lord Cardinal of Ostia about these situations. Once he called blessed Francis to himself, he took him to the Lord Pope Honorius—because the Lord Innocent had already died,d had another rule written for him, and had it confirmed and strengthened with the force of the papal seal.
In this rule he extended the time between chapters to avoid hardship for the brothers who lived in faraway places.
45 Blessed Francis petitioned the Lord Pope for one of the cardinals who would be the governor, protector, and corrector of this religion, as stated in the Rule. And he granted him the Lord of Ostia.
Now that he had this commission from the Lord Pope, the Lord Bishop of Ostia, raising his hand to protect the brothers, sent a letter to many bishops in the dioceses where they experienced hardships.a He did this so that they would not be opposed to the brothers, but rather give them advice and assistance in preaching and living in their provinces, as good and religious men approved by the Church. Many other cardinals likewise sent letters concerning this.
And so, in another chapter in which blessed Francis gave the ministers permission to receive brothers into the Order, the brothers were again sent to those provinces, carrying the confirmed Rule and the letters, as we have said, of the cardinal. Once the prelates saw the Rule, confirmed by the Supreme Pontiff, as well as the endorsement of the brothers by the Lord Cardinal of Ostia and the other cardinals, they permitted the brothers to build, live, and preach in their provinces.
After this happened and the brothers lived and preached there, many people, seeing their humble way of life, upright conduct, and their very pleasant words, came to the brothers and put on the habit of holy religion.
Seeing the trust and love that the Lord of Ostia had for the brothers, blessed Francis loved him from the depths of his heart, and when he would write to him, he would say: "To the venerable father in Christ, Bishop of the entire world."
After a short time had passed, the Lord of Ostia was elected to the Apostolic See, according to the prophecy of blessed Francis, and is called Pope Gregory the Ninth.b
Chapter XII
THE DEATH OF BLESSED FRANCIS,
HIS MIRACLES AND CANONIZATION
46 When twenty years had passed since blessed Francis had embraced evangelical perfection, the merciful God willed that he should rest from his labors, Rv 14:3 for he had labored greatly in vigils, in prayers and fasting, in supplications, in sermons, in journeys, in concerns, and in compassion for his neighbors. He had given his whole heart to God, his creator, and loved Him with all his heart and his whole being. For he carried God in his heart, praised Him with his lips, and glorified Him with his deeds. When someone mentioned God's name, he would say: "At this name, heaven and earth must bow."
Wanting to show the love He had for him, the Lord impressed on his members and his side the stigmata of His most beloved Son. And because the servant of God, Francis, wanted to go to His house and the dwelling place of His glory, the Lord called him to Himself, and so he gloriously passed over to the Lord.
After this, many signs and miracles appeared among the people, so that the hearts of many who were stubbornly against believing what the Lord had manifested in his servant were moved to admit: His life we accounted madness, and his death dishonored. See how he is accounted among the sons of God; how his lot is with the saints!
47 The venerable lord and father, the Lord Pope Gregory, who loved the saint during his life, also paid tribute to him after his death. Coming with the cardinals to the place where the body of the holy man had been buried, he enrolled him in the catalog of the saints.
On that account many important and noble men, forsaking everything, have converted to the Lord with their wives, sons and daughters, and their whole family. Wives and daughters have enclosed themselves in monasteries. Husbands and sons have put on the habit of the Lesser Brothers.
Thus that word is fulfilled which he once predicted to his brothers: "After not much time, many learned, prudent, and noble men will come to us, and will dwell with us."
Epilogue
48 I beg you, most beloved brothers, meditate earnestly on the things we have recorded about our most beloved fathers and brothers, understand them correctly, and strive in deed to fulfill them, so we may deserve to share with them in the glory of heaven.
May our Lord Jesus Christ lead us to this glory.
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