The First Life of St. Francis

Thomas of Celano[1]

Book II, Chapter 6

In the material preceding this passage Celano recounts the physical afflictions Francis suffered toward the end of his life. The paragraph preceding this one recounts how Francis was well received in the town of Rieti by the local bishop who tried to help by providing the best of medical attention, which included blood-letting and several cauterizations on his head. But his eyesight and overall physical health continued to deteriorate.

§102 These things Francis bore for almost two years with all patience and humility, giving thanks to God[2] in all things. But that he might direct his intention more freely to God and, in frequent ecstasy, wander about and enter the workshops of the blessed mansions of heaven and present himself with an abundance of grace on high[3] before the most kind and serene Lord of all things,[4] he committed the care of himself to certain brothers who were deservedly very dear to him. For these were men of virtue, devoted to God, pleasing to the saints, acceptable to men, upon whom the blessed father Francis leaned, like a house upon its four columns. Their names, however, I will not mention to spare their modesty, which is a familiar friend to them since they are spiritual men. For modesty is an ornament of all ages, the witness of innocence, the sign of a virtuous mind, the rod of correction,[5] the special glory of conscience, the guardian of reputation, and the badge of all uprightness. This virtue adorned all these brothers and made them lovable and kind to men; this grace was common to all of them, but a special virtue adorned each one. One was known for his outstanding discretion,[6] another for his extraordinary patience,[7] the third for his great simplicity,[8] and the last was robust of body and gentle of disposition.[9] These tried with all vigilance, with all zeal, with all their will to foster the peace of mind of their blessed father, and they cared for the infirmity of his body, shunning no distress, no labors, that they might give themselves entirely to serving the saint.

§103 But, though the glorious father had been brought to the fullness of grace before God and shone among men of this world by his good works, he nevertheless thought always to begin more perfect works and, like the most skilled soldier in the camps of God,[10] the enemy having been challenged, to stir up new wars. He proposed, under Christ the prince,[11] to do great things, and, with his limbs failing and his body dying, he hoped for a victory over the enemy in a new struggle. For true virtue knows not a limit of time, since the expectations of a reward is eternal. Therefore he was afire with a very great desire to return to the first beginnings of humility and, by reason of the immensity of his love, rejoicing in hope,[12] he though to recall his body to its former subjection, even though it had already come to such an extremity. He removed from himself completely the obstacles of all cares, and he fully silenced the clamorings of all anxieties. Though he found it necessary to moderate his early rigor because of his infirmity, he would still say: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up to now we have made little or no progress.” He did not consider that he had laid hold of his goal as yet,[13] and persevering untiringly in his purpose of attaining holy newness of life,[14] he hoped always to make a beginning. He wished to go back again to serving lepers, to be held in contempt, as he once had been. He proposed to shun companionship with men and to retire to the most remote places, so that, having thus put off all cares and laid aside all solicitude for others, only the wall of the flesh would stand between him and God.

§104 For he saw many pursuing offices of authority, and despising their rashness, he sought to recall them from this pestilence by his example. He used to say that it was a good and acceptable thing before God to exercise the care of others and that it was becoming that they should undertake the care of souls who would seek in it nothing of themselves but who would attend always to the divine will in all things. Those, namely who would put nothing ahead of their own salvation and who would pay no heed to the applause of their subjects but only to their advancement; who would seek not display before men, but glory before God; who do not strive after a prelacy, but who fear it; who are not puffed up by such a thing when they have it, but are humbled, and who are not dejected when it is taken away, but are filled with joy. But he said that it was dangerous to rule, especially at this time when wickedness had grown so greatly and increased so abundantly; and he said that it was better to be ruled. He was filled with sorrow that some had left their former works[15] and had forgotten their earlier simplicity after they had found new things. Wherefore he grieved over those who were once intent upon higher things with their whole desire but who had descended to base and vile things, and had left the true joys to roam and wander amid frivolous and inane things in the field of empty freedom. He prayed therefore that God’s mercy might free these sons and asked most earnestly that they might be kept in the grace that had been given to them.[16]

---

[1] Trans. Placid Hermann. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1963. BX4700.F68E49

[2] Tob. 2:14.

[3] Ephesians 1:3.

[4] 2 Mac. 14:35

[5] Proverbs 22:15

[6] Not enough information is given in any of these instances to determine definitely just who is meant. But most authors think that Brother Angelo Tancredi is meant here. He died in 1258.

[7] Brother Rufino is probably meant here. For additional information §95 above may be consulted.

[8] This is probably Brother Leo, the father confessor of St. Francis, his secretary, and his trusted friend. Leo died in 1271.

[9] This is probably Brother John de Laudibus (or Lodi). Brother Bernard of Bessa wrote of him in his Liber de Laudibus S. Franciscis. While Francis was still in the flesh, he merited to touch the wound of the stigmata in his side [Analecta Franciscana, III, 668]. He died about 1250. Some think, however, that Brother Masseo may be meant. He died in 1280.

[10] Gen. 32:2.

[11] Dan. 9:25.

[12] Romans 12:12.

[13] Philippians 3:13. Brethren, I do not consider that I have laid hold of it already.

[14] Romans 6:4.

[15] Apocalypse 2:5.

[16] Romans 12:3.