LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS.

Otaki Mail, 17 August 1928, Page 3

LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS.

Founder .of tne monastic order of Franciscans, St. Francis led a life- that was one of the most beautiful ever recorded. He has been called a "morning star of the Renaissance." For, in the words of Mr. G. K. Chesterton, he "anticipated all that is most liberal and sympathetic in the modern mood; the love of nature ;thc' love of animals, the sense of social compassion; the sense of the spiritual dangers of prosperity and even of property. All those things that nobody understood before Wordsworth were familiar to St. Francis." His life, at first a life of worldly pleasure was later one of extreme saintlincss.

The Little Flowers was a liook compiled by an unknown Land in the four-; toenth century from the Latin Actus B. Francisci et sociorum ejus, and these extracts, given below, are from the translation of Mr. T. Okey. The author tells of the companions of St. Francis, cf his ways and penances, of how, by reason of an evil thought he cherished against Friar Bernard, he commanded the said Friar that he should tread thrice on his neck and mouth; how St. Francis kept Lent on an island in the lake of Perugia, where he fasted forty days and forty Eights, and ate no more than half a loaf. He tells how he began to preach, how he preached to the birds and made the swallows hold their peace. Here is such a scene:— Congregation of Birds. And so, leaving the people of flaburniana much comforted and well disposed to penitence, St. Francis departed ■ thence and came to a place between Cannara and Bevagna. And journeying on in that same fervour of spirit, he lifted up his eyes and beheld some trees by the wayside whereon were an infinite multitude of birds; so that he marvelled and said to hia companions: "Tarry hero for mo by the way and I will go end preach to my little sisters the birds." And he entered into the fleld and began to preach to the birds that were on the ground; and anon those that were on the trees flew down to hear him, and all,'stood still the while St. Francis made an end of his sermon; and oven then they departed not until he had given them his blessing. And according as Friar Masseo and Friar James of Massa thereafter related, St. :Francis went among them. touching them with the hem of his garment, and not one stirred. And the substance of the sermon St. Francis preached was this: — "My little sisters the birds, much are ye beholden to God your Creator. nad alway and in every place ye ought to praise Him for that He hath given you a double and a triple vesture; He hath given you freedom to go into every place, and also did preserve the seed of you in the ark of Noe, in order that your kind might not perish from the .earth. Again, ye are beholden to Him for the clement of air which Ho hath appointed for you; moreover, ye iow not, neither do yc re'ap, and God feedeth you and giveth you the rivers and the 'fountains for your drink. "Ho giveth you the mountains and the valleys for" your refuge, and the tail trees wherein to build your nests, and forasmuch as ye can neither spin nor sew God clotheth you, you and your children; wherefore your Creator loveth you much, since He hath dealt so bounteously with you; and therefore beware, little sisters mine; of the sin of ingratitude, but ever strive to praise Cod." . tl While St. Francis was uttering these words, all those birds began to open their beaks, and stretch their necks, and spread their wings, and reverently to bow their heads to the ground, showing bv their gestures and songs that, the holy father's words gave them greatest joy; ami St. Francis was glad and rejoiced with them, and marvelled much at so great a multitude of birds and at their manifold loveliness, and at their attention and familiarity; for which things he devoutly praised the Creator in them. > Finallv, his sermon ended, St. Francis made the sign of holy cross over them and gave them 1 •""'«• *"> depart; and all those birds soared up into the air in one flock with wondrous songs, and then divided themselves into four parts after the form of the cross St. Francis had made over them; and one part flew towards the cast;, another towards the west; the .third towards the south, and the fourth towards the north.

How He Converted the Wolf. In the days when St. Erancas abode in the city of Cubbio, a huge wolf, terrible and fierce, appeared in the neighbourhood, and not only devoured animals but men also; in such wise that all the citizens went in great fear of their lives, because oftimes the wolf tame close to the city. And when they wont abroad, all men armed themselves as were they going forth to battle; and even so none who chanced on the wolf alone could defend himself; and at last it came to such a p*»fl that for fear of this wolf no man durst leave the city walls. Wherefore St. Francis had great compassion for the men of that city, and purposed to issue forth against that wolf, albeit the citizens, with one accord, counselled him not to go. But he, making the sign of holy cross, and putting all his trust in God, set forth from tluTcitv with his companions; but they fearing" to go farther, St. Francis went his way alone towards the place where the wolf was. Gentle as a Lamb.

And lo! tlic wolf, in the sight of much folk that had come to behold the miracle, leapt towards St. Francis with gaping jaws; mid St. Francis, drawing ui"h, made to him the sign of most holy erosS ami colled hiin. : speaking thus, •'Come hither, friar wolf; I command Mice in the name of Christ that thou do hurt licither to me nor to auy nian." Marvellous to tell! no sooner had St. Francis made the sign of holy cross than the terrible wolf closed his jaws aud slaved his course; no sooner was (he command uttered than lie came, ■'untie as a lamb; and laid himself at The feet of St. Francis. Then St. Francis speaks to nam thus: "Friar wolf, thou viorkest much evil in these part?, and hast wrought grievous" ill. destroving and slaying Gods creatures without His leave. But, friar wolf, fain would I make peace with ilichi and thee, so that thou injure them no more; and they shall forgive thee all thy past offences, and neither man nor dog shall pursue thee more."' Vow of the Beast. Now when St. Francis had spoken these words, the wolf, moving his body and his tail and his Tars, 'and bowing i liis head, made sijjns that he nuc-cntod what Lad been .said, and would abide thereby. Then said St. Francis: "Friar wolf, since it pleascth thee to make and observe this peace, I promise to obtain for thee, so long as thou livest, a cintinuul sustenance from the men of this city, so that thou shalt no more suffer-hunger, for 'well I ween that thou hast wrought all this evil to satisfy thy hunger. But after I have won this favour for thee, friar wolf, I desire that thou promise me to do hurt neithsr to marl nor beast. Dost thou promise ine this?" Aid the wolf Imwed his head and -j;avc clear token that lie promised these things. And St. Francis said: "Friar: -wolf, I desire-that thou pledge thy faith to mo to keep this promise, that I may have full trust in thee." Arid when-St. Francis held forth his to. receive this pledge, the wdf.

it in the hand of St. Francis, giving him thereby such token of good faith as he could. Then said St. Francis: "Friar wolf, I command the,e in the name of Josus Christ to come with me; fear naught, and we will go and confirm this peace in the name of God." And the wolf, obedient, set forth by his side oven as a pet lamb: wherefore, when the men of the city behold this, they marvelled greatly.