The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi
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The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi Author(s): Ugolino, Brother Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Arthur Livingstone, author of this 1930©s reproduction of Little Flowers, characterizes this text as a masterful work of folk literatures from the Middle Ages. The phrase "little flowers" refers to "notabilia," or a collection of noteworthy events in the lives of St. Francis and his followers. These stories were originally collected and compiled by Brother Ugolino during the early 1300©s. Ugolino attempted to draw out similarities between Jesus and St. Francis, since both leaders taught their disciples to deny the things of this world and to instead seek humility and holiness. Ugolino©s original Latin text was lost, but by consulting a variety of sources, scholars have worked to reconstruct Little Flowers into both Italian and English translations. Livingstone advises readers to enjoy Little Flowers with a sense of humor, as the contents of several stories contain much irony and amusement. Emmalon Davis CCEL Staff Writer Subjects: Christian Denominations Roman Catholic Church Biography and portraits Individual Saints, A-Z i Contents Title Page 1 Introduction 2 I 3 II 5 Part I 9 Chapter I. In the name of Jesus Christ our crucified Saviour, and Mary his Virgin 10 Mother. In this book are contained certain Little Flowers - to wit, miracles and pious examples of the glorious servant of Christ St Francis, and of some of his holy companions; to the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. Amen Chapter II. Of Brother Bernard of Quintavalle, the first companion of St Francis 11 Chapter III. How St Francis, having allowed an evil thought to arise in his mind 14 against Brother Bernard, ordered him to place his foot three times upon his neck and his mouth Chapter IV. How the angel of God put a question to Brother Elias, guardian of 16 Val di Spoleto, and how, when Brother Elias answered proudly, the angel departed from him, and took the road to San Giacomo, where he met Brother Bernard and told him what follows Chapter V. How the holy Brother Bernard of Assisi was sent by St Francis to 19 Bologna, and how he founded a convent there Chapter VI. How St Francis, when about to die, blessed the holy Brother Bernard, 21 naming him Vicar of the Order Chapter VII. How St Francis passed the time of Lent in an island, on the lake of 23 Perugia, where he fasted forty days and forty nights, eating no more than half of one loaf Chapter VIII. How St Francis, walking one day with Brother Leo, explained to 24 him what things are perfect joy Chapter IX. How St Francis would teach Brother Leo what to answer, and how 26 the latter could never say aught but the contrary to what St Francis wished ii Chapter X. How Brother Masseo told St Francis, as in jest, that the world was 28 gone after him; and how St Francis answered that it was indeed so, to the confusion of the world and through the grace of God Chapter XI. How St Francis made Brother Masseo turn round and round like a 29 child, and then to go to Siena Chapter XII. How St Francis gave to Brother Masseo the office of porter, of almoner 31 and of cook; and how, at the request of the other brethren, he afterwards took these duties from him Chapter XIII. How St Francis and Brother Masseo placed the bread they had 32 begged upon a stone near a fountain; and how St Francis praised the virtue of holy poverty, praying St Peter and St Paul to make him love holy poverty greatly. And how St Peter and St Paul appeared to him Chapter XIV. How the Lord appeared to St Francis and to his brethren as he was 34 speaking with them Chapter XV. How St. Clare ate with St Francis and his companions at St Mary of 35 the Angels Chapter XVI. How St Francis, having been told by St Clare and the holy Brother 37 Silvester that he should preach and convert many to the faith, founded the Third Order, preached to the birds, and reduced to silence the swallows Chapter XVII. How a little child who had entered the Order saw St Francis in 40 prayer one night, and saw also the Saviour, the Virgin Mary, and many other saints talk with him Chapter XVIII. Of the wonderful chapter held by St Francis at St Mary of the 41 Angels, at which more than five thousand friars were present Chapter XIX. How the vine of the priest of Rieti, whose house St Francis entered 44 to pray, was trampled under foot by the great numbers who came to see him, and how it yet produced a greater quantity of wine than usual, as St Francis had promised; and how the Lord revealed to the saints that heaven would be his portion when he left this world Chapter XX. Of a beautiful vision which appeared to a young man who hated the 46 habits of St Francis so greatly, that he was on the point of leaving the Order Chapter XXI. Of the most holy miracle of St Francis in taming the fierce wolf of 48 Gubbio Chapter XXII. How St Francis tamed the wild doves 50 Chapter XXIII. How St Francis delivered the brother who, being in sin, had fallen 51 into the power of the devil Chapter XXIV. How St Francis converted to the faith the Sultan of Babylon 52 iii Chapter XXV. How St Francis healed miraculously a leper both in his body and 54 in his soul, and what the soul said to him on going up to heaven Chapter XXVI. How St Francis converted certain robbers and assassins, who 56 became friars; and of a wonderful vision which appeared to one of them who was a most holy brother Chapter XXVII. How at Bologna St Francis converted two scholars who became 61 friars, and how he delivered one of them from a great temptation Chapter XXVIII. Of an ecstasy which came to Brother Bernard, and how he 63 remained from Matins until Noon in a state of rapture Chapter XXIX. How the devil often appeared to Brother Ruffino in the form of a 64 crucifix, telling him that all the good he did was of no avail, seeing he was not of the number of the elect of God; which being revealed to St Francis, he made known to Brother Ruffino the error into which he had fallen Chapter XXX. Of the beautiful sermon which St Francis and Brother Ruffino 67 preached at Assisi Chapter XXXI. How St Francis was acquainted with the secrets of the consciences 69 of all his brethren Chapter XXXII. How Brother Masseo obtained from Christ the virtue of humility 70 Chapter XXXIII. How St Clare, by order of the Pope, blessed the bread which was 71 on the table, and how on each loaf appeared the sign of the holy cross Chapter XXXIV. How St Louis, King of France, went in person in a pilgrim’s garb 72 to visit the holy Brother Giles Chapter XXXV. How St Clare, being ill, was miraculously carried, on Christmas 73 night, to the church of St Francis, where she assisted at the Office Chapter XXXVI. How St Francis explained to Brother Leo a beautiful vision that 74 he had seen Chapter XXXVII. How Jesus Christ, the blessed one, at the prayer of St Francis, 75 converted a rich nobleman who had made great offers to St Francis, and inspired him with a wish to become a religious Chapter XXXVIII. How it was revealed to St Francis that Brother Elias was damned, 77 and was to die out of the Order; and how at the desire of the said brother he prayed to Christ for him, and how his prayer was granted Chapter XXXIX. Of the wonderful discourse which St Anthony of Padua, a Friar 79 Minor, made in the Consistory Chapter XL. Of the miracle which God performed when St Anthony, being at 80 Rimini, preached to the fishes of the sea iv Chapter XLI. How the venerable Brother Simon delivered a brother from a great 82 temptation, on account of which he was on the point of leaving the Order Chapter XLII. Of several wonderful miracles which the Lord performed through 84 the means of Brother Peter of Monticello, and Brother Conrad of Offida. How Brother Bentivoglio carried a leper fifteen miles in a very short time; how St Michael spoke to another brother, and how the Virgin Mary appeared to Brother Conrad and placed her divine Son in his arms Chapter XLIII. How Brother Conrad of Offida converted a young brother, who 86 was a stumbling-block to the other brothers; and how after death his soul appeared to Brother Conrad, begging him to pray for him; and how through his prayers he was delivered from the great pains of Purgatory Chapter XLIV. How the Mother of Christ and St John the Evangelist appeared to 88 Brother Conrad, and told him who had suffered the greatest sorrow at the Passion of Christ Chapter XLV. Of the conversion, life, miracles, and death of the holy Brother John 89 Della Penna Chapter XLVI. How Brother Pacifico, being in prayer, saw the soul of Brother 92 Umile, his brother in the flesh, go up to heaven Chapter XLVII. Of a holy brother to whom the Mother of Christ appeared when 93 he was ill, and brought him three vases of healing ointments Chapter XLVIII.