The Kinship of Saint Francis - 731 

through penance, vigils, fasting, cold, discipline, and continual mortification, that it hardly rebelled against the spirit,

Blessed Francis was also conformed to Christ in many ways in employment and diligence. For Christ continually did some work for your salvation, first doing and then teaching and encouraging his disciples to stay awake and pray. In a similar way, the blessed father Francis . . .

In many ways he was also like Christ in impartiality and patience. For as Christ courageously and most patiently suffered the abuse of humans, diabolical temptations, bodily afflictions, so did blessed Francis patiently endure trials of humans, as well as of demons and of infirmities.

 Previous

Next 

 

Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 3, p. 731