The
Divine Comedy,
Between Tupino and the water which falls
from the hill of Blessed Ubaldo,
a fertile slope descends the mount
from which Perugia feels cold and heat,
through the gate of Porta Sole and behind it,
where
weep for burdensome yoke, Nocera and Gualdo.
From this slope, where it becomes more level,
was born a Sun, as ours rises over the
But let me not speak too obscurely,
understand
only that the two famous lovers of this story,
are Francesco and Sister Poverty.
Their harmony, their contented aspect,
made sacred their love, their wonder, their fond gaze;
so that venerable Bernardo
cast off his sandals and gave chase to such serenity,
and even as he ran he thought himself slow.
And no shame burned the face of Francesco,
that he was Pietro Bernardone’s son,
nor that now he was greatly scorned.
To Innocent the Pope he brought his intentions,
from him he received the seal for his Order.
And the people of poverty following him
increased, and his admirable life
was sung of ever more sweetly in Heaven.
Then, thirsting for martyrdom,
in the presence of the proud Soldan
he preached of Christ and his followers.
On the rough stones between
he received from that Christ his final wounds.
And when He that had so loved and tried him,
chose at last to take Francesco
to his reward, earned by such humility,
to his Brothers, his heirs,
he commended his dearest Lady,
that they might love her ever faithfully;
and from her embrace he moved away,
towards his own kingdom,
but wished no other coffin for his body.
---
The Wolf of Gubbio
Francesco in those times lived in Gubbio,
when on the roads of the town
there appeared a fierce wolf
killing animals and men;
and none had courage to confront him.
Francesco took pity on those people,
on their all-too human fear;
he traveled the roads, searching
for the lair of the wolf,
and with him he took no arms.
When finally he found the wolf--
a perilous meeting--
Francesco stopped and held up his hand:
''You, Brother Wolf, are a thief and assassin.
You have brought fear to this land.
Between you and these people, I will bring peace;
your wrongdoing will be forgiven;
they will always give you food,
and never again shall you go hungry.
For Hell is more fearsome than a wolf!''
They say that Francesco spoke thus,
and to that land brought peace,
and in the years to come no one suffered more
''You, Brother Wolf, are a thief and assassin...
but Hell is more fearsome than a wolf!''
---
The Rule
As lambs among the wolves
I send you now.
Candid as the dove,
wily as the serpent,
take no parcel
nor mantle nor sandals,
take no bread
nor staff nor coins.
Leave your father,
your mother and your brothers,
leave your children
and your houses and your fields.
Seek not luxury
in the robes of this world,
love each other
and call each other brother.
You came to serve,
and wealth is dust,
welcome with joy he who comes to you,
friend and foes together,
thief and brigand.
Let nothing hold you back,
divide or separate you.
---
Psalm
Lord
you have seen my tears
do not abandon me
because
pain is near.
Day and night have I cried out
day and night have I searched for you,
now see me, help me,
no one comes to my aid.
In my humiliation,
my immense confusion,
in vain have I sought
someone to be sad with me.
A stranger to my brothers,
a pilgrim to my mother,
I searched but could not find
anyone to console me.
You know my paths,
watch over me now,
I have been crushed,
let your help be with me.
My voice has cried out,
my voice has supplicated,
I lay in the dust
but you took my hand,
oh my Lord!
---
Tract on the Miracles
Villa was a child and he was mute,
he prayed to Francesco and woke up singing.
Young Mancino was at death’s door,
he called out the name of Francesco and was cured.
Bartolomeo the beggar fell asleep under a walnut tree,
when he awoke he could walk no more,
by intervention of Francesco he was healed.
Poor Sibilla was blind and sad,
Bonomo from Fano was a leper,
lovely Ubertina was epileptic,
in the name of Francesco they were healed.
And in Foligno,good Nicolo’,
torn by pain he could stand no more,
said prayers to Francesco and on his own legs
and with a happy heart returned home.
In
he was already dead and came back to life.
A wall fell on a young man of Sessa
but Francesco awakened him before the dawn.
Maria from Gagliano,who thirsted,
found a miraculous fountain.
A woman from Narni, who was possessed,
in the sign of the Cross was freed.
Gualtiero from
he prayed to Francesco and was cured,
and a son was born to Giuliana,
who from melancholy was wasting away.
In
a great cherry tree had dried up,
the people of the town put it in Francesco’s care
and it flowered in Spring
and amazed the world.
---
The Sultan of
Brother Francesco travelled over the sea
towards the
he and his companions on the Saracen roads
were imprisoned and beaten, poor men!
Then Francesco spoke and preached so well
that the Grand Sultan listened
and much admired him, and freed him from his chains.
And so Francesco went on to
Brother Francesco stopped to rest
and a woman came up to him…
a beautiful face, a poisonous heart,
with her body she invited him to sin.
Brother Francesco said,
“I’ll sin with you”;
he lay down in the fire and held out his arms to her.
She repented, she converted.
And Francesco went on to
---
In the Swamps of
Pray and All Were Silent
At last Francesco arrived at the swamps of
and together with another Brother crossed them.
Returning from the East, he stopped in that place,
it was evening and time to pray.
Flocks of blackbirds sat in the branches, singly loudly;
that clamour seemed in praise of their Lord.
Thus Francesco in the swamp
wished
to pray together with the birds
and walked among them;
but the echo of his steps
and the words of the prayers
were lost in that tumult:
‘’I pray you, be silent.’’
And stillness fell upon the swamp
and non sang more,
till Francesco finished praying
and went on his way.
---
On True and Perfect Gladness
By now it was winter and Francesco left
walking with Leone in the gelid wind.
And Francesco in the silence called out to Leone:
‘’Your life may be holy, but know,
this is not gladness;
you may heal the blind and chase out demons,
give life to the dead and words to the mute,
you may know the paths of the stars, but know,
this is not gladness.
When we arrive in
and they open not the door,
tormented by hunger,
we will stand in the pouring rain.
To face suffering without a murmur,
to bear it with patience and joy.
to conquer oneself, know that this,
this is gladness.’’
---
Canticle
of the Creatures
To You only
honour and glory,
all praise and blessings
to you only,
that are the Most High;
and no man is worthy
to speak of you.
Blessed may you be, Lord,
and all your creatures,
especially Brother Sun
and his light;
with him you illuminate us,
with his beauty and splendour,
of You, Most High Lord,
he bears the sign.
Blessed may you be,
my
Lord,
for Sisters Moon and Stars,
by You in the sky created,
bright and beautiful.
Blessed are You for Brother Wind,
air, clouds, and storms,
which to your creatures give sustenance.
Blessed be You, Lord,
for our Sister Water,
so chaste, useful,
and precious.
Blessed are You
for Brother Fire,
who lights up the night,
and is beautiful, joyous,
robust and strong.
Blessed may You be, Lord,
for our Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and produces many-colored flowers
and green grass.
Blessed be You, Lord,
for
those
who forgive in Your name,
and bear infirmity
and tribulation.
And blessed may they be
Who shall walk in peace
and to whom You will give their crown.
And blessed be You, Lord,
for our Bodily Death,
from whom no one
may escape,
and blessed will they be
who are in Your Grace,
and whom Sister Death
will not harm.
---
Listen, Oh Sisters of Charity
Listen, oh Sisters of Charity,
called
by the Lord,
that from many parts and provinces
have come here.
Listen, Sisters of Charity,
called
by the Lord,
in truth and obedience live always;
look not at worldly life,
that of the spirit is better.
With all my love I beg you,
live in poverty.
Those of you who are ill
and those who are tired,
let all bear this in peace,
for they shall be crowned in Heaven.
---
Death of Francesco
It was not yet night,
Saturday after Vespers,
Brother Francesco bowed his head
and returned to the Lord.
His soul, as a light,
rose up over the clouds,
like a ship on the waters;
he entered the glory of Heaven.
And as the shadows fell
the larks came singing,
above the houses they circled,
a long time they cried.
It was not yet night,
Saturday after Vespers,
all Mysteries complete in him,
Brother Francesco departed this world.