L I F E

ANCISSOLANUS ST . FR ,

AP OST LE OF PER U:

B Y A

PR IE T OF T HE OR DER OF ST F A . R NC I S S ,

P ro vince o the Sa cred Hea rt f .

mm: fi ermissu i np ati owm .

NEW YOR K , B E N ! E E I G R B R O T H R S,

R I NT ER S T E HOLY APOST OLI C SEE P T O H .

C P R EFA E.

w o f . i EV . Alban Butler thus rites St Franc s ive n fo llo wi n So la n u s , wh o se life is g in the g p a ges : “ o f An extraordinary humility , contempt himself,

f - a o worldly va nity a n d applause , self deni l , obedi o f re co lle c ence , meekness , patience , love silence ,

a n tion d prayer , both mental and vocal , formed his ” ch a racter . a P a z His whole life , says Alv rez de , may

a o f be rega rded s a holy , uninterrupted course zeal o us a ction ; yet it wa s at the s a me time a constant a n d most fervent prayer , - abounding in heavenly lights and consolations . The a ssertion of these two writers will be fully

i n o f a a n d demonstra ted . the life the great S int

f . to im Apostle o Peru We will endeavor show ,

i m a So la n u s perfectly though t y be , that was h o a speci a lly chosen by divine Providence , w w tched

a n d a e over , directed him , so th t he ntered the great

l N a fie d o f l a bor in the e wWorld . We shall lso see how fa ithfully o ur S a int coopera ted with the fa vors and gra ces so abunda ntly showered upon him from

a above , thereby reaping an abund nt harvest for the o f f honor God and for the salvation o souls . We P ii REFACE . should learn from this to have u nbounded confidence

a in God , and to correspond f ithfully with the gra ces bestowed .

a fo ll We sh ll in this book o w St . Francis from his

a h u or h l S v u birth to his de t , seci , as in a picture , a a n d tues , mir cles mission in the Church . The author will consider himself a mply rewa rded

a u wo n for the l bor bestowed pon this work , if the

o f a s a a n d u a ders God , reve led in , thro gh his S ints ,

l a a n d sh a ll be more wide y spre d ; if the clergy ,

a a a a both secul r and regul r , especi lly those who l bor

a in the mission ry field , are incited to persevere fa i thfully in their glorious work , considering the h a rdships endured by the first m 1ss1o n a rie s in the l New Wor d . H R THE AUT O . C ONT ENT S .

HA C P T ER .

I —B Fr . i f n rth an d Yo uth o St. a cis So l a n u s — — l l . He nt r h r r o f Fra n cis His e e s t e O d e St. No vui ate an d P ro fe ssio n — III. He C o n ti n ue s h is Studie s a n d is Orda in ed

P rie st .

1 — a n So la u s u r t. Fr cis n a ri n ri V . S s P est a d S p e o

V — He e ave s S a i n a n d be c o m e h A o s o f . l p s t e p tle P e ru So th Am rica , u e — VL Labo rs i n P eru

— Fra n ci o l a n u s in T cu m a C hako I . V L St s S u n , , 50

— F i u r III t. ran c s So l an s in P a a a Ura ua tc . 59 V . S gu y , g y, e

I X —La s Y ar i n T c m an 63 . t e s u u

— Fra n i ola nu s e a T c m a n Lim a a n d X . t. c S v S s l es u u ,

- Fr n o la n u XI D a th o f St. a c S s . e is

— t B uria o f S XI cc r n ce a t h De a h a n d t. I . O ur e s t e l Fra n cis

XIII —Mira c e w o ht at th e D a th a n d B ria o f . l s r ug e u l ! Fra n ci o l an u . a St. s S s

— n ra i n i o n R e ar in th e a n ctit f XI V. Ge e l Op g d g S y o St.

Fra n cis So la nu s .

X —Mira c s w o h thro h th e In te rce ssi o n o f V. le r ug t ug Fra n i o la n u s ft h i t. c S a e s De a th S s , r

I —B e a tifi a i n i i XV c t o a nd C a o n a o n . . n z t

US LI E r T FRANCISSOLAN . F o S.

R I CHAPTE .

S n Fra n cis o la us . B irth a n d Yo u th of St.

Among the many S a ints wh o adorned the Church a n d during the sixteenth seventeenth centuries , a conspicuous pl a ce should be given to St . Francis a So l a n u s . He was born in Montill , Priego County , D o f a And a lusia , in the iocese Cordova , Sp in , March 1 l 0th , 549 .

fa th e r Ma tth e w His , Sanchez , and his mother ,

a Xim e n e z gvo f z a Ann i the renowned Ximene f mily , were both of noble extraction . They were well a n d o n known highly honored , not only account of

b a their no le birth , but still more for their virtue n d piety . The father o f our S a int was so highly e s teemed by his fellow- citizens th a t they frequently a a a s ppointed him he d of the Supreme Court , well

a a s M yor of the city .

” Anna So la n u s wa s worthy to become the mother

a a to . o f a S int . She had a speci l devotion St Fran

f . re cis o Assisi Shortly before his birth , she co m mended herself and her offspring to the protection

o f . this great Saint Therefore , with a joyous , A LAN 2 r sr FR NC I S SO US. LIFE o .

t g rateful he a rt she welcomed the bir h of her son , the second of the three children with which o u r

Lord blessed her .

a As proof of her gr titude , she desired him to be

a m named Fra ncis . His f ther willingly co plied with

a n d a wa s a i da this request , the inf nt b pt zed on the y ’ o f . Ja a his birth , at St mes the parochi l Church of

a Montill . We generally see pious parents blessed with duti ful a u a children , while ungodly p rents are contin lly

a f f compl ining o the misdeeds o their little ones , seeming to forget tha t the fa ult is very often all n o t a their own . If they do fe r and obey the Lord , how can th e y e xpect their children to do so

a wa s a After his b ptism , the little Francis t ken to h o n his mother , w pressed him to her bosom , receivi g

a h a him as a little ngel , now that he d been purified

a a o f a n and regener ted in the w ters b ptism , bei g thereby cleansed from original sin m a de a member

f o f G d f a o the Church o , and an heir o he ven . She h a d loved him before as her son , but now still more

f s as a child o God . Mo t tenderly did she watch

o n e a o f over her beloved , awaiting the earliest d wn reason to impl a nt in his young m ind the funda a f i ment l truths o our holy rel gion . The tea chings and example of such a mother pro d uce d a a most fruitful harvest . The young Fr ncis soon proved by his whole conduct that a lthough in “ r f a n the wo ld , he was not o it that a high d noble

“ a a s n e da e u destiny waited him , since he w o y to be rolled among the Saints who adorn the Church . OLAN 3 L . S U IFE OF ST FRANCIS S.

His early ye a rs p a ssed under the wa tchful eye o f

wa s o ld a loving p a rents . When he enough to le ve

a s a t n a e home , he w sent to a college Mo till , und r

a the direction of the fa mous Jesuits . He w s in debted to their wise care and instruction for the

a thorough educ tion he received , not only in the

a libera l arts , but still more in th t higher science

a a tha t leads to s a nctity . His d v ncement in virtue a n d piety kept p a ce with his progress in a ge a n d

a earthly wisdom . As we re d in the Gospel tha t “ Jesus incre a sed in wisdom a n d age and in gra ce

a n d LUK E 3 a m a with God men ( , the s me y with

a a o u r a n truth h ve been s id of beloved S i t . Even

while very young , the influence exerted over his a s a a o f compa nions w so gre t , th t none them dared m utter an unbecoming word his presence , but “ would say Hush ! Hush ! So la n us is com ~ ” ing . Such is the power o f sanctity ; it a lmost a ncon

i u sl n sc o y gains respect and obedie ce . There is no pretense in true piety , every word and a ct proves tha t Go d consta ntly dwells in the he a rt of the truly T h e p ious person . very presence o f the good a n d sufificie n t to holy is silence the worldly , frivolous convers a tion o f those who h a ve fors a ken the p a th o f

r to a vi tue follow the false m xims of the world . One re a lly pious student may be a s gre a t a blessing to a a s o f P u ti h a r college Joseph was to the house p . a a a a St . Fr ncis Sol n s bec me for the students at a a s a Montill gre t a treasure as St . Bern a rdine of

S to his ienna had been the pupils in college , or , as LANUS 4 SO . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

o f P Ma uritio . o St . Maurice , ortu , and St Al ysius f at were afterwa rds to be to those o Rome .

Fra ncis wa s not only an obedient son , docile

’ a schol a r and true friend , but even in his youth a ze l o f e a r ous promoter of the honor and glory God , n e stly defending His interests on a ll occ a sions . One day he wa s walking with some o f his fellow students a long the b a nk of the river Aquilar . They

a a ta lked for some time bout their studies , f ilures , a successes , etc . , when a slight dispute rose between

a to two o f them . Fr ncis tried check the quarrel , o f to a ll begging them for the love God desist , but b in v a in . From quick , sharp words the two oys soon p a ssed to blows . Francis rushed betwee n the comb a ta nts j ust in time to receive a severe blow

a t from one o f the opponents . The qu rrel ceased a once ; some of the boys urged Fra ncis to take revenge fo r the injury received , but he meekly re “ B a I plied e s tisfied , am not injured ; in making “ these two enemies friends I have gained what I desired a n d there let it end . On another occ a sion Francis wa s walking beyond s a n the city limit in open field , when he suddenly

” — No r m Allow me here to re m a rk th a tpa ren ts a n d gu a rdi a n s c a n n o tbe to o c arctu l i n sele cti n g a n in sti tu tion fo r th e e du c a t1o n of t r c r n n w a u r d tr m bo o ks i s n o a n s hei hild e . The k o ledge cq i e o by me th e o r n t n to c n s re fa r r i s n ssa r . chief, o ly hi g be o ide d ; mo e ece y a r t u st a r fu tra in e e t u t a t a ts The he m be c e lly d , p i y c l iv ed , good h bi f rm a n d str n t n a n d th e w e n n r m a n r n e e a n d o ed e g he ed , hol i e e w d a wa la n to th e n fl u n s o f D i n Gr c e No o n e ca n n t a t e ed i e ce vi e . de y h to tra n th e a rt a r t re l u s tru t s u st n st e t a t i he ig h , igio h m be i ill d ; h ' piety c a n be n u r tu red on l y by freq uen t a n d fe rven t p a y e r ; a n d good ha b its form e d on ly by th e a dvice a n d exa mple o f virtu ou s t a rs a n d a n n s . I t i s a a s to o ft n th e c a s t a t l e che comp io . l , o e e h chi re n a t e r m fo r s m fa m u s s o r e u r a n d d le ve h i ho e o e o chool coll g e , p e n n o e n t bu t r turn i n a fe w m n t s e r a s t r rtu u s r n i c , e o h , p h p , hei vi o p i ‘ m h 5 h a vm s fie re d sh l re ck tr th e n fl ue n o f d i p g u p w om i ce ba a ssoc a tes . R 5 LIFE OF ST . F ANCIS

a l came upon two men prep ring to fight a du e . He “ ” cried out a t once Gentlemen ! stop 1 stop I

a a n The duelists p used , not expecting so sudden

a n n wa o a a interruption . Adv ci g to rds the c mb t nts , “ a a a : he m a de a n irresistible ppe l , s ying For the love of God do not enga ge in s uch a d a n gerous con o n e o r a flict, for there is no present to interfere t ke the p a rt of either , consequently you will no doubt

a a a wound or kill e ch other , c using not only tempor l

a P c but e ternal de th . ea e then be with you , gentle ” men . n a t The duelists looked with astonishme t ~ this a t a h a n d pious , humble youth , then e c other , putting “ a a a n m a n their swords in the sc bb rds , s id You g , you h a ve conquered henceforth there will be pe a ce ” a and reconcili tion between us . They then embra ced

a n d n s e . e a ch other , frie d hip was r stored Thus

l a n u s a a o f So bec me the ngel peace , showing how much m ay be accomplished by the good a dvice of

a o n e pious person . Were there more such dvisers , how much enmity between relatives and friends i m ght be prevented .

a a St . Fr ncis f ithfully and successfully continued

n a v his studies , stori g his mind with he enly wis

a s as c n a dom well with earthly scien e , knowi g th t to progress only in the la tter would in the end prove

a a a a a a . a loss r ther th n g in , as the gre t St Bern rd “ a . has so truly s id He knew that : A young man ,

to wa e ld according his y, even wh n he is o , he will ” - a . 22 a not dep rt from it (Prov . 6) And th t if he e o f st hopes for the grac final perseverance , he mu 6 AN SOL . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS US spend his youth in holiness a nd in the fear o f the a Lord . Knowing where to obt in the choicest

a ffi a a wa o ff gr ces , and most e c cious assist nce to rd

t a the d a ngers incident to you h , especi lly when with

a u other students , Fr ncis had freq ent recourse to wa s prayer a n d the Sa craments . In his boyhood he “ o f a a truly a child pr yer , as in his m nhood he

a f proved to be a m n o prayer . Those who saw him frequently a n d devoutly approach the Sacraments ifie were gre a tly e d d . s i no t f His lei ure t me was passed , like that o many to students , in idleness , but devoted some useful occup a tion . His father owned a garden near Mon o f till a . Much his free time was spent here , culti

a in a v t g the flowers and vines , while at the s me time , he wa s often heard sweetly singing the praises o f

ur a a o n o Lord , ccomp nying himself the violin ,

a l h a d which he pl yed quite skil fully , as he a decided

m . t alent for usic In this sweet solitude , away from

o f a th e noise and tumult the world , were p ssed his

a t a n d a h a ppiest d ys , his though s desires scendin g with his voice far beyond this earth , even to the throne o f Go d himself. In this m a nner youn g So la n us passed his time as a f r student , preparing o the great apostleship th a t a a him w ited . This is indeed the most important period of life to

a young persons , especi lly for those destined to the

a a a . a a ecclesi stic l st te It is time of prep ration , o f a a n d a tri ls tempt tions . They a re in the society o f o f ff t persons di erent tas es , habits and creeds bein g L LANU 7 IFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO S.

— yet youn g they will be more o r less a ffe ct e d by these

n a n d ma a a n d v a ried i fluences , y e sily lose the virtue honor they possessed when leaving home . Hence they c a nnot be to o c a reful in their choice of a sSo ci ates ; o n e ba d companion m ay do more harm than

a a sever l virtuous ones can ccomplish for good . So na turally do we incline to evil . Idleness should be

a f specially avoided , this being the f ther o mischief. Every hour should have its allotted duties o f o r a prayer , study recre tion by punctually and faith f f to ully con orming this routine , there will be little ’ d a nger o f forming friendships inju rious to one s a ch racter . Free time improperly spent has often ’ a r a c used a student s uin . Those prep ring for the a ll priesthood , should above others follow the ex Of a f ra ample our S int , by acquiring the spirit o p yer and the h a bit o f ever walking in the presen ce o f to a God . They must seek possess re l virtue , not the a ppe a rance of i t ; avoid all singularity in word and act , which often gives others a wrong idea of

t a a . to vir ue , even m king it ppear ridiculous Give

a n re every duty its proper time d place , whether it

a a o r . l te to pr yer , study amusement True virtues a a n d lways command respect esteem , while pretended m ones are conde ned and despised . P CHA TER II .

h F — la n us en ters t e rder o t. ra n is s So O f S c . Hi

No vitia te a n d P rofessio n .

We can readily admit tha t the life young Francis led as a student was a n ovitiate and preparation for future sanctity . His whole conduct proved th a t he had been speci a lly chosen by God for th e holy priest a a n hood , to labor in His viney rd d accomplish a t b fo r grea and nota le work His honor and glory . Having always desired to advance in Christian perfection , and to be forgotten by the world , he soon responded to the c all o f a religious life and applied for admission at the Monastery o f the Fra nciscan

Fa thers living in Montilla .

chur h He had frequently visited their little c , they ’ t a had of en been at his f ther s house , begging for pro

a ll h a visions , but above he d been deeply impressed e difie d a o f and , by the holy ex mple these religious ,

u o f . a . f Al f ll fervor Their holy le der St Peter , o

a a a a cantara , h d exch nged earth for he ven a few ye rs l a previous , leaving his d isciples as their richest eg cy

h i . s saintly , apostolic spirit

Among these religious , Francis was convinced he could obtain that which he h a d so long desired vi z : seclusion from the world and frequent inter H a a course with God in holy prayer . is p rents g ve e e x tra o rdi th ir consent and blessing , knowing the nary gifts and graces with which Heaven had e n [8]

1 0 LA S . O N LIFE OF ST FRANCIS S U .

v piece o f wood . During Lent and Ad ent his auster r r a s o ities we e g eatly incre sed , his h rt rest being taken o n a fe wfa gots thrown u pon the floor o f h i s n a rrow cell , which was often sp rinkled with the blood

a f c used by his use o the discipline . It might truly be

a n a a s s id that he observed a conti u l f st , as he wa e n never seen to eat m at , fish or eggs except o Festi u i v a ls , and then only thro gh obed ence . a d On Mond y , We nesday and Friday during L e nt , his rep a st co n sI ste d o f bre a d and water ; never did

a o a n a D u r he t ke warm fo d on y Friday of the ye r . i e we re n o ng Lent , exc pt in sickness , he shoes , thus a to honor the P assion o f o u r Lord . His ex mple so e difie d the other Re ligious that they all tried to imi o f Of t a te him . (All we have said the religious life Francis is fully confirmed by the testimony o f Fath e r

o f a n o vi ce n m a ste r a n d o f a e Petrus , Ojed , his , F th r f Ali ca n te hi s n tho n o i a e . A y, , companion in the novit t ) It is true that the lives o f the Saints are not a i s ways to be imitated in every re pect , but rather to a be admired , and serve as occ sions for humbling ou r s far i selves , that we are o removed from the r sanc a u tity . It is nevertheless a cert in truth , that witho t

ifica ti n a u m o rt o a Christi n , and m ch more a Religious , will make little o r no progre ss in virtue ; while he

e mo rtificatio n a n d who lov s , subdues his sensual ap c e petites , will more re adily onqu r his other evil

a inclin tions . “ “ rid to n m a a n d B le glut y , says Tho as Kempis , h a e thou s lt the easi r restrain all carn al inclinations .

I . a . (Bk . , Ch p SOLAN 1 1 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS US.

Novices will find an example worthy o f imitation f a a h u in the life o our S int , m king his obedience , m ilit m o rtiflca tio n a l y, , and love for pr yer the mode

a s . of their own , as far Superiors permit I t is true that some Religious who were fervent f a a during the time o their probation , fterwards bec me l a ke - w a rm; but tha t tepid novices become fervent

Religious , seldom if ever happens . T o o much care cannot be taken in training novices their o wn future welfa re as well as that o f the com hi be fo n u munity to w ch they g , must depend pon o f th ese future members the Order .

a St . Bon venture has truly said , that C ommunities should be slow in a dmitting new members ; must quickly dismiss those who are not fitted for the

r s e - O rde , but be very solicitou in the w ll training of novices . “ a m to St. J mes says If any man think hi self o be religious , not bridling his t ngue , but deceiving ’ ” o n is . his w heart , this man s religion vain (St . m 1 Ja es , Our S a int well knew and practised this teaching

o f . a bu the Apostle His piety being not v in , t true his conversation always accorded therewith . Never wo uld - h e spe ak at forbidden times or places ; the b wa s w e t u su ject al ays difying, for al ho gh he did not m ake the time o f recreation a n occ a sion for spm tua l o f colloquys , yet he well understood the difficult art mingling pious thoughts with ordinary conversation , so that all would derive be nefit therefrom both spi

a n ritually d menta lly . Fo r this reason his so ciety 1 2 OLAN LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS S US.

e l u c a was ager y so ght at re re tion , not only by the novices , but also by the older Religious , knowin g from experience how beneficial such intercourse would be for them . Rel a xation o f some kind is necess a ry even in th e strictest communities , but it can and should be m a de a a f e ifi a ti n a s me ns o d c o and profit , as well pra yer a n d other more serious duties . R eligious should never forget the dignity and

a f h n s nctity o their state . He w o knows how to e te rta in his comp a nions during recrea tion a s a true to Religious , becomes a blessing to all , causing them n serve Go d cheerfully and willingly . Those o ly wh o are detached from the world and have the true

Community spirit will be able to do this . Having passed his novitiate in so holy and edify i n a he o n g a m nner , longed for the day which he could consecrate himself entirely to God . In order e fo r that h might be fully prep ared this , the most

a a solemn ct of his life , he m de a long and fervent

a retreat before his holy profession . Wh t emotions f u o joy , love and gratitude m st have filled his heart , while uttering the vows and giving himself a s a hol a ca u st into the hands o f his Superior a n d throu gh himto Almighty God ; this we m ay perh a ps im a g fo r ine , but cannot describe , into the deep recesses o f a he a rt wholly united to Go d no m ortal e ye can penetrate . His profession was a complete sacrifice , an entire consecration . His Fellow - religious understood even then what a OL N 1 3 O . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS S A S

h a d w a So la n u s tre a sure they received , hen Fr ncis of

Montill a offered his solemn vows to the Almighty . a we They listened in profound silence and , their hea rts swelling with joy as he pronounced the for N mula of Profession . o doubt many an eye wa s moistened with tears a s they heard the solemn words “ t t I , Brother Francis , vow and promise o Almigh y to r VI r I n to o ur God , Ma y , the Blessed g , Holy

. a to Father , St Fr ncis , to all the Saints and you , to a o f Father , observe all the d ys my life , the rule

a - d of the Fri rs Minor , which was approve by Pope

. a n d Honorius III , to live in obedience , without pro ” perty a n d in chastity . “ Francis could now truly say I am thine, O ” a n d . Lord , Thou art mine This happy event took

o n o f . 15 place the Feast St Mark , 70 , in the sm all u ch rch of the Friars , at Montilla . C HAPTER‘ III

o la n us c n tin u es his Stu di s s S o e a n d i o rda in ed P ri est.

d F Having now ma e his vows , rancis remembered “ the words of o ur Lord : N0 man putting his h and to the plough and looki ng back is fit for the kingdom ” 9 of God (Luke , a r to He ende vo ed , therefore , advance in the way of f o f per ection by the constant practice virtue , prayer being the principal means for attaining this e n d .

He , therefore , made this his chief study during the f time immediately ollowing his novitiate . He was present day and night in the cho ir during the divine offices . On entering the church he adored

- our Lord by repeating the well known prayer o f St . Francis o f Assi si “ We adore Thee , O Lord Jesus Christ , here and in all churches o f the whole world ; and we bless

‘ o cro ss re Thee , because by Thy h ly Thou didst deem the world . During the time o f prayer he often a ppe a red as if r a ised a bove the things o f e a rth and already holding converse with the angels in heaven . Having thus spent the three years after his novi o f h wa s ti a te in the holy excercise prayer , e sent by d his Superiors to a little Convent called. Our La y ” f a o Loretto , ne r Seville , there to study Logic , a a to Philosophy , the S cred Scriptures , and prep re a s enter the holy prie sthood . Religious discipline w [14] L R L N 1 5 IFE OF ST . F ANCIS SO A OS .

a ex ctly observed in this Convent , so that So la n u s

e s i d ired very much to rema n here , the more so as he

a a n d a observed the s intly ustere life of the Superior .

his a a a t On rriv l , he once continued his former

a n a n e w a - a usterities , t ki g h ir cloth and using an t iron shirt that he found here . Although the cells were very small and in co n ve n i t sufli i n tl e n , still they were not c e y so to satisfy his f m o rtifica tio n h I s n love o , therefore at o w request , he was permitted to build o n e a ccording to his o wn

a taste ne a r the belfry . A novice ided in the work ; it was very narrow having only o n e open ing to a d mit a little light . In this hermita ge were pa ssed his

t . happiest moments , devoted o prayer and study Here he would retire a fter the lectures On Ph ilo so phy and the Sacred Scriptures , studying the science

’ a a i of the S ints , th t true philosophy wh ch unfolds

f a n d a the principles o the natural supernatur l world . Doing this in the right way and with the proper a n d spirit ; seeking the truth finding it , he advanced

ra idl 1n w1sdo m t . p y _ and sanc ity So la n u s followed the advice o f Our seraphic

’ wh i h te a h e t. a c c s Fa ther , S Fr ncis , that study should never destroy the spirit o f prayer . Consequently be the longer he studied , the more humble did he

n d come , a the more did he increase in love for God a nd ch a rity towards his neighbor . An occurrence at this time will prove the truth o f What has just been

s a id . One day On entering the kitch en he noticed the boiling water in a kettle and said to the cook : 1 6 AN SOL US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

“ a Tell me , brother , why does the w ter throw up ” such hot bubbles a s it boils ! “ a a n Simply because there is a fire bene th , swe re d the brother . “ ” “ la us a lo t Oh ! continued So n in w one , fire a ! a re heats the water a n d m a kes it boil . Al s why we to o not inflamed so much with the fire o f Divine

ur fl love , that o soul will burn within us , as the uid ” ! a within this kettle This , thought so infl med him with the love o f Go d th a t he rema ined a long time

a W in an ecst sy . hen the brothers assembled , he d came to his senses and uttered these burning wor s , “ Oh ! the love o f Go d ! how sweet it is to love ” G o d 1

hi a While completing s studies , Solan s led the

a n d a a a same holy regul r life , d ily prep ring himself

a for the greatest event , that of his ordin tion . On da wa s what y this dignity conferred upon him , or what was his specia l preparation for this g re a t event

a h is biogr phers do not state . They only mention o n 4ih that he celebrated his first Mass October , the f Fra n l s f a o . o a n Feast St c Assisi , his f ther d some

other friends being present ; his mother , owing to

i n firm itie s blindness and other , could not attend .

m a We y, however , with reason suppose , from wh a t

a o f o f a we have already le rned the sanctity Sol na s , t be that his prepara ion was all that could desired , in fa ct his whole life had been little else tha n such a

a a prep r tion . Wh a t must h a ve been his emotions wh en he as ce nde d the steps o f th e holy altar fo r th e first time

1 8 ANC I OLAN R S US. LIFE OF ST . F S sa me functions o n earth that th e an ge ls do in

a s It was then customary in Convents , it is now in

a a o f some l a rge Mon steries , to ch nt the whole divine fice ; hence much depends upon the director of the

t a t choir , h t the services may be conducted wi h So l a n u s rm a ll order and due solemnity . perfo ed

h u these duties most fa it f lly and perfectly . He stud i e d not merely th e melody but the full me a ning of a a l the Gregori n ch nt , which although so very o d ,

a a v . ppe rs , if properly rendered , e er new This solemn chant pleases and deeply impresses the listener , elevating the soul from earth to heaven . Who can remain unmoved in hearing the chant o f the Prefa ce a n d Pa ter No ster ! Ho w thrilling th e “ ” ‘ m Sa lve R e in a e otions when listening to the g , R e ” “ ” in a ce li a ll x t t g O , and above , to the E a l e o n Holy Saturd a y ! Wha t con sol a tion fills the so rrowing heart during “ i a a t f a R equ em M ss , the solemn music o the Li “ ” n e ui sca t i n P bera a d the R q e n a ce . So la n us h a d filled the o flfice o f Choir Director for

a wh e n h e a o f two ye rs , mourned the de th his pious fa ther ; he h a d not the consola tion o f being presen t

sa d a a a on the occ sion , to receive his f rewell n d con sole his a fflicte d mother ; but knowing ho w gre a t

a n must be her sorrow , he asked and obt i ed permis

a n sion to visit d comfo rt her . His Superiors were th e more willing to grant his request , as the time a ppointed for him to remain at Loretto Wa s drawin g A 1 9 L . SOL NUS IFE OF ST FRANCIS .

a a n d to close , he was soon to be sent to the Mon

r iz a fa t o f a a ste ry at Ar near the ci y Cordov .

a a a o f a t H ving t ken le ve his brethren Loretto , he

a a t a visited his bere ved mother Montill , where he

a a rrived covered with dust and much f tigu e d . The

n . a n d serva nts did not recog ize St Francis , there fore directed him to their mistress who h a d j ust gone

a into the g rden . The aged and feeble widow did not n o f d notice her son approaching , o account her blin

a ht a d ness . Fe ring she might be frig ened , he

a dressed her very quietly . She inst ntly recognized

- who ca n s the well known voice , and now de cribe the emotions of both mother and son their he a rts over t flOwe d with love and joy , for true piety does n o diminish the affection between p a rents a n d their

a . a children , but rather incre ses and perfects it Fr n cis rem a ined some time in Montilla at th e s a me

Convent where h e h a d received the holy h abit . The day after his arrival he received permission ' a from th e Gu rdian of the Convent to beg a lms . Then might be seen the saintly son of the wealthy

a a s a Senor Sol no , going from hou e to house , sking a lms for the love o f God .

D a s In the dwelling of Senor iego Lopez , there w a very sick child , covered with sores the physicians a ff tried in v in to cure the poor su erer . The mother

i u - o f e a a a law Diego begg d St. Fr ncis to re d Gospel

. a r over the child Moved with comp ssion and cha ity , the holy priest sucked the infectious m a tter fro m n the sores , speaki g words o f consolation a n d bles

sing . The next morning the child wa s almost 20 AN SOL US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

cu red . The report o f this miracle soon spre a d a a abro d , gre tly increasing the estimation in which

‘ r a a s e o u S int w h ld . a ffl A poor l me man , a icted with ulcers , was also cured by St . Francis in the same way . a The s intly Catharine Fernandez de Cordova , so s h e Countess of Priego , revered him highly , that a sked the Guardi a n of the Convent for his habit that

a she might be buried in it . The favor was gr nted ,

a n a f ur her rem ins being clad i a h bit o o Saint , were f buried in he church o the Jesuits at Montilla . a i St . Fr ncis w shed to leave his native city as soon a s possible that he might e sca pe the honors every

a where aw iting him . Therefore , we find him not

Arriz a fa fii e f a long after at , holding the o c o M ster f o Novices . His great humility led him to believe tha t he was wholly u n fitte d for this importa nt posi he tion , , therefore , begged his Superiors most ear

n e tl a s y to release him from the ch rge , but without f avail . Being fully aware o his gre a t sanctity and ! a . merit , they could not have m de a better choice

— f M st r i o h m s re NOT E . The o fice of a e o f Novice s s n e of t e o t Spon s ible i n a R eli giou s Commu n ity ; th e No v ui a te i s i n truth th e n urs r o i h e r r r h e rtu o f th i u s i s t e y t O de . He e t vi e e you n g R el gio o be te te d th e Ir -i e t n o u r s e a n d str n t n a t th e sa m s , r y i h d e g he ed ; e t1m e th e y a re to be d i rected a n d tra i n ed i n wh a tever rel a tes to th e o r ct n o f th e r vo ca ti o n . a c m is a ll th s i t i s st pe fe io To c o pl h i , m n ecessa ry 1 h a t they h a ve a le ader well versed i n wh a teve r rel a tes to th e n a sti i f a n d i n ‘ r wa w rt o f so w t a mo c l e , ev y y o hy eigh y ch a rge He m u st a b we a ll thin gs h a ve a grea tlove a n d esteem fo r ‘ h i s a l n h e m u st a m a n ra r fil w1 th tru e wis holy c li g ; be of p ye . led t a t m a i r t t s ut to h i s a r n ~ t wa dom , h he y d ec ho e comm ed c e i he y of f He s e s t a t ra e f n n s a n t t . u ss s r t o s r t w c i y ho ld po h gif di ce me , hich will e n a ble him to disti n g u i sh betwe en a tru e a n d fa l se voca tion ;

m u st be s r ta n d a u t u s i n h i s u d m e n ts . B u t a v al l he di c ee c io j g bo e , ust te a m r t a n r t W r s o n ] t th e m ch o e by ex ample h p ecep . o d exci e

w l e a m a n s i ts o n s n t a n d a s to a t n . s n a s il , x ple g i c e le d c io ol did a ll t s a n d e n r re u n h i s fa sts a n d a u st ri t s t a t hi ev mo e , do bli g e ie , h e m Igh t there by a ccompli sh wha t i n h i s humili ty he fel t u n a ble p d o 0 . B ‘ LAN 2 1 LIFE O ST . FRANCIS SO US.

t f a a w e He remained in his o fice for m ny ye rs , h n

a hi s virtue and wisdom found a wider field of ction , being placed at the he a d o f the Noviti a te o f the who le Province , which was established in the Con

f a n a vent o S Fr ncisco de Monte , about three miles

a u a C a r e o a n d from Ad m z , near Vill Franca , p Mon

d n a a in toro . It was in a seclude place o high mount a a which exactly suited Sol n s , who loved retirement , as he could thereby converse more e as ily with o ur

Lord a n d medita te upon his works .

He often left his solitude , and descended the mountain to preach in the neighboring towns and Hi l . s vi lages sermons were full of unction , so that

fa r his fame as a p reacher spread and wide . When

it as a ever w announced that he would pre ch , the people left their homes , business and amusements to listen to him ; and soon many conversions were e made . On being asked wher he had received this “ gift o f eloquence , he replied In a remote corner of the church where God who is the best teacher has imp arted it to me . While begging alms in th e public streets , he would call the children whom he e t met and giv hem instruction in catechism . Thus we see how the Saints ende a vor to preach

n d a C hrist a his Gospel in every possible w y. They a lways find opportunities for so doing because their a a re he rts filled with Divine love . f P Soon a ter , the rovincial chapter being held , he was a o f ppointed Guardian the Convent . His great t ffi humili y would have made him refuse this o ce , but h e c to he accepted it throug obedi n e his Superi ors . . SOLAN LIFE OF ST FRANCIS US.

Literally observing the a dvice given by his holy a Father , St . Fr ncis , that Superiors should be the servants of those under their charge , and , being co n v in ce d a th t example is more powerful than precept , o ur S a int was always the most exact and regul a r in

a o f C n the observ nce the holy Rule and o stitutions , so t a h t in a short time , his Convent bec a me a model in o f r the observance eligious discipline . He united u pr dence and firmness , love and vigil a n ce in his government ; his great humility and affa bility g a in f l ing the love and esteem o a l . They regarded him

a as their f ther , counsellor and guide , and vied

a f i fi n with e ch other in the practice o m o rt ca tio , pen ance , prayer and meditation ; yet , with all their

a n d ff o ur a a l fervor e orts S int surp assed them l . I a n o f f y member the Community was ill , it was not necessary to report the case to their holy Supe

a a rior, his ttention and vigil nce were so great that h e l was genera ly the first to find the sick brother ,

a when he would wait upon him , m ke his bed , clean the room and perform all the most menial services h is condition required . He not only attended to the bodily necessities of

f e t e the su f rer , but cared also for his spiri ual n eds , urg i n g h im to bear his pain with patience and re sig f na tion to the will o God . The saintly Fa ther per formed a ll these deeds o f love and charity so readily ’ thatit seemed as if he h a d never done anything else .

—i s a n d n t r n i n ts i n th e f o f l e ss e NOT E. be e m a y o he i c de li e B d s e o l a n u s a re r a te Fa t r D i d a cu s M i n a wh o Fra n ci el d by he de ol , t r a r s fo r t rt a rs u a rd a n a n d D e fin i te r o f th e wa s a f e w d ; hi y ye , G i ‘ sa me Co n ven t; by Fa ther John P a mi re z wh o h a d be en three ti mes el ec ted P rovi n cia l o f th e P rovin ce o f G rana d a p a n d by Fa ther l n r e t Sa n i e Al ys ius Aq ui a r a d Fa t P ru s Ga r l . o ‘ he of b ST . F SOL NU 23 LIFE OF RANCIS A S.

. t While St Francis dwelt in the Conven de Monte , a fe a rfulp- estilence ra ged in the Province of And a

u a a ; a a l si , in the ye r The r vages m de by it a f were gre ter in the city o Montoro than else where . s a s a a b As oon Sol n s heard of it , he earnestly egg ed pe rmission of his Superior to attend the sick in this pl a ce . The request being granted he left a t onc e

n with a companion named Bonaventure , for the sce e

o f his s . labor Trusting in God , they fearlessly e n ff t te re d the city , o ering their services o the priest an d l stationed here . Both clergy people joyful y

a we lcomed these good sam ritans , for deep sorrow and desp a ir seemed to have ta ken possession o f the ll a n a he a rts of a . After a short rest Francis d Bon venture proceeded to the hospital erected withou t

- the city for the plague stricken people , and at once t h a n ff began heir work of c rity , nursi g the su erers

d n e i n mo st ten erly , clea sing th ir sores , washing the fec te d bodies and doing everything for their comfort . T hese c haritable priests provided with equal ca re

i r a for their sp itual necessities , giving dvice a n d a dm consol tion , hearing confessions , a inistering the

‘ Holy Viaticum , and Extreme Unction when re qui

. s o di site Being them elves full of holy J y, they d everything in their power to cheer the drooping o f th e f spirits sick and a flicted , making this se a “ so n a ! a true Jubilee as Fr nc is termed it , there by aiding much in the recovery o f the invalids Fo r those whose last hour had come , the holy Fa thers a lleviated as much as possible the p a ngs o f u death , t rning their thoughts from this world to 24 A T F L NUS. LIFE OF S . RANCIS SO

t i the nex , from their earthly to the r heavenly home . a a s ~ The prayers were usually short, ej cul tory a pi rations repe a ted after the fathers by the sick and a dying . These ministrations were alw ys eagerly

a n ff welcomed d most beneficial to the su erers . Those who recovered were taken by Fr a ncis to a e an n ighboring brook , thoroughly washed d cleansed

to . from all infection , then taken back the city On

a o ur a the w y, Saint held the crucifix , repe ting with his patients the Creed a n d other prayers in thanks givi ng for their recovery . Those wh o died were buried with great care a n d — a s beca me Christians Our Saint was called to pass

a through a great trial at this time . His f ithful comp a nion and brother in Christ was attacked with to the plague , and being reduced the last extremity ,

Francis prepared him for death , administered the o f last rites the Church , and when he slept in the o f o ur a peace Lord , laid him to rest mong those whom Bon a venture h ad served and for whom he ha d been ready to die .

h fo r So la n us T is was indeed a most severe trial , but his faith and coura ge remained unsh aken . He “ could say with holy Jo b If we have receiv ed o f goo d things at the hand the Lord , why should we ” ! 2 I r not evil (Job That is , have been t uly a n ble sse d in h a ving Bonaventure as a comp nion , o w be th a t he has been taken from me , shall I not equ a lly s a tisfied ! a a s ur Francis w s convinced , o holy religion teaches

26 O LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS SOLAN S .

s a s citie , in pest houses and during the r vage of war ,

a a upon the b ttle fields , where not only men , but we k o f feeble women , Sisters Charity , accustomed , per a a t h ps , to all the luxuries o f a refined and delic e

f ‘m a li e , y be seen among the wounded and dying , nursing them with the tenderness a n d care o f the e most devoted mother , exposing thems lves most a re dily to sickness and death . Thus do they fulfill “ to the very letter the words o f o ur Lord This is t u a s I my commandmen , that yo love o n e another ” “ h a ve . : loved you (John , xv . And The ” hi l i . good shepherd give th s ife for h s sheep (John ,

x . C HAPTER V .

n s le a ves a i n a n d; beco mes the A o stle St. So la a Sp p

o u th Ame rica . of P eru , S

f h a d ea m a r St . Fra ncis o Assisi a gr t desire to be

a a a n tyred for the f ith , and for this purpose m de m y

n Mu sse l m e n t a attempts to go amo g the , h t he might ’ pre a ch to them and perh a ps win the m a rtyr s crown . Francis So la n u s animated with the love o f Christ an a a s a s to e s d with the s me desire , well hoping e u h im ca pe the honors everywhere conferr d pon , e a rnestly petitioned the Genera l o f the Order to be permitted to go into Africa and pre a ch to the he a thens there . But his Superiors did not think best to grant u him his req est , considering almost indispensable in their o wn province . But Almighty God in his divin e wisdom decreed that he should be chosen for o f the great Mission in the New World . Philip II . a a i Sp in , wished the v rious relig ous Orders to choo se

n b a some of their um er for this gre t work in America .

a as o f i a a i Sol n hearing th s , g in most humbly pet tio n e d to be o n e o f the chosen b a nd ; the reques t

a . a o f h was gr nted He then took le ve his mot er ,

a n d - brothers Fellow religious , to go into fa r distant regions beyond the mighty o cean , even at the risk

o f fo r o f . shedding his blood the love Christ , if such o sh uld be his blessed privilege . He chose for his field o f labor the most remote provinces o f the Tucu [2 7] 28 AN SOL US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS m a ns beca use in tha t region were the gre a te st

f i n fide ls k number o , who led a life , more li e the a in be a sts o f the fields than hum n beings , not know g a o r honoring their Lord and M ster . o f a a s Before leaving for his new field l bor , Fr nci

a n went from town to town , pre chi g once more to the h a d t a n people whom he so Of en ddressed , exhorti g them most earn estly to persevere in the way o f th e His a i a t th e C o n ve n t o ur .

Lord l st vis t was fl of he Lady of Loretto , where he urged t Religious to renewed fervor in the life they had chosen .

o f a a When the time departure c me , Solan s went

s a a a e on board the hip , accomp nied by gre t numb r a w . h o Of Religious There were also m ny soldiers , 1 58 9 r Of e were sent that year , , to the Vice oy P ru ,

D n a f a o G rzia o Hurtado , de Mendoz , Count of

Canete . a u In a fr il galley , s ch as was then used , in the

o u r a midst of rough and stern soldiers , S int emb a rked o n his perilous voya ge but he went among the m all

as a in quiet and recollected a m nner , as if in his

n a a o w Mon stery . His time was spent in pr yer a n d other religious duties . From the fullness o f his

a o f he rt proceeded words consolation , advice and encouragement to all who h a d the h a ppiness of co n versing with him . He would often ra ise his crucifix before the people and with holy ze a l exhort the m to forsake their evil wa ys and give themselves to the “ o f service Go d . His motto was : Ra ther die than ” ff m a o end the jesty o f God . W f D hen the ship reached the island o St . omingo , A 29 . SOL LIFE OF ST FRANCIS NUS. some of those on bo a rd went to a retired pl a ce to

la n u a wa a So s r. sh their g rments , mong the numbe They sca ttere d a round to find the best pl a ces for

h a a a a the ir work . It d been rr nged th t all should ’

a t . m . a a re meet four o clock p , in a pl ce suit ble for

a emb a rkin g . But through some del y the a ppointed

a a n d n time had p ssed without their knowledge , whe a t a a s a i n they met the landing , wh t w their dism y ,

a a two seeing the vessel s iling aw y , being then miles

’ a a n hi from shore . The te rror Of Sol na s d S com a a a s p nions was so much the greater , as the isl nd w

a a n n inh bited by c ibals .

a e a s Our S int could not , however , r strain his joy he thought a n Opportunity would now be offered for

~ He shedding his blood in honor of o ur Lord . there fore excl a imed Blessed be the hour wherein my a desire sh ll be accomplished . O my Lord , consider

w a me worthy Of the cro n of m rtyrdom . Excess of love for Thee urges me to shed the last drop of blood ” in my veins . Thus the S a int poured forth the

a emotions of his he a rt . His comp nions tried to

‘ a a a n d check him , lest the c nnib ls might come de ‘ l ifii ult vour them a l . But it was with d c y they “ ” succeeded . For love is strong as de a th . (Cant . 8 B ut o f a , in the designs Almighty God , ’ a a a m a rtyr s de th did not w it So l a n u s .

a n Soon after the g lley set sail , those o board noticed that their faithful friend So l a n u s and his companions were not on board they were therefore obliged to return for them . Their sails were spread

r a Once more , directing their course to Ca thagen , 30 AN . OL U LIFE OF ST FRANCIS S S.

fe ! a where they stopped a w d ys , then steered fo r

a Porto Velo , which ended the voy ge as they went

overl a nd to Pa nam a . Although this journey wa s

a et a ll o ur a very f tiguing , y through it S int continued f his labor o love , among the peop le as well as his

usu a l a usterities .

a D ida cus P n e F ther de ineda , o o f his compau a a a t a a P ions , rel tes th t when C rth gena and a n a m a ,

” Solana s was always present in the choir of the C o n a s wents there , as well at the other religio us exercises a fter which he visited and consoled the sick in the

hos pitals .

a F ther Franciscus de Torres , another Of his

a a O a a l ssoci tes , who was ften chosen Guardi n of sever

o n ve n ts in o f a a C the Province Lima , repe ts the s me

m o rtifica ti o n s o f encomiums . As we have said the

our S a int were still practised while on this journey . h fo r W en stopping a short time in some Convent , he

u a l wo ld not even accept cell , but took a ittle rest in

f u u a corner o the choir , using a mat Of b lr shes for a

‘ a bed a n d a piece of wood for his p illow. Wh t a f striking contrast between the conduct o St . Francis So la n us and those Christia ns wh o are a lways a n d

a n a everywhere seeking their comfort , d so re dily excuse themselves from attendin g Mass o r o ther

f a n religious exercises o the Church . St . Fr cis a n d his companions were oblige d to wait some days for a vessel before leaving for thei r new mission in

“ a a a o f Peru . At length a ship ppe red in the h rbor

a fo r . Pan ma , bound their destined country They took passage in it expecting to se e their n e whome LAN 3 1 SO US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

o ur r a in a few weeks a tleast . But Lo d who const ntly a tests the fidelity of his true children by new tri ls , a a a th at their virtue may be known abro d , c used severe storm to lengthen still more their alrea dy tedious voyage . h a d They nearly reached Gorgona , a city about a o n e hundred miles from Panama , when a fe rful

a a a tempest suddenly arose , d shing their ship g inst

i a a rock ; t spr ng a leak , soon filling the hold with

a w a ter , while the angry w ves rolling over the sides o n o f the vessel poured a flood the deck , almost swee pin g the unfortunate crew into the sea . Terror

a and desp ir reigned everywhere , all expected soon “ ’ ” Old a a n d to find a grave in oce n s bed , were not

- even trying to save themselves . However a life bo a t was soon lowered and as quickly filled . Among the f a f o u r a number were some o the comp nions o S int . He wa s urged by a ll to follow a s the ship wa s ra pidly o f e sinking , but he refused , thinking only the nin hundred persons still remaining in the doomed ves l a s e . , Of whom ne rly eight hundred were heathens His heart wa s filled with grief at the thought o f so ma ny p e risli i n g without having even received the

a a gra ce o f b ptism . He felt th t here indeed was his

a a o n e to o a mission , gre t , th t should at once be m com enced . In the fervor o f his ardent love he o u r spoke to them of Christ, Redeemer , who suffered “ death for us on the cross , who does not desire th e e a o f d th a sinner , but that he be converted and live . He pictured to them as circumsta nces pe r m itte d Go d , the mercy of , the necessity o f contri 32 A LAN S L I FE OF ST FR NCIS SO U .

n n a Of a tion , pe a ce and baptism . The he rt Fr ncis

a m being infl med with divine love , oved his hea rers to sorrow for their sins a n d a desire to le a d a new life those eight hundred h e a

a la a d thens asked for b ptism . He most g dly

‘ t a f ministered his Sacr ment , soon a ter which a s su d many Of them met a watery grave , the vessel

e n l a d y divided . One portion sank bene th the waves with its freight Of hum a n beings the other foundered

a n w o n a rock . A great and striking mir cle o took

a a s pl a ce . While the waves d shed furiously ag in t

- ur a a a the half wrecked vessel , o S int ppe red at the ’ a prowand nnounced , that trusting in God s mercy ,

a all the rest would be saved . While thus spe king ,

a nd he raised his heart and eyes toward heaven , all

a beheld him in an ecst sy .

a s n h e Still the re w no visible help ; o t contrary ,

s a the ship was fa t filling with water , so th t it seemed a s if a ll would soon go down with her in the depths

f a e a o the ocean ; and such would h ve b en the c se , h a d th e elements been permitted to wre a k their fury

. e a a a yet longer Ev n F ther Fr ncis de Leiv , the C o n f ss r Of a e u e o the S int , despair d , and so ght s a fety in the M wa ves by swimming to the shore . a ny others fol

a . n lowing his example , were lso rescued Seei g the

a Of a o ur a desp ir so great number , S int had recourse

u n m to his discipline , scourging himself mos t e rcr

i n fully h Op g thereby to Obtain the divine mercy . a who He then he rd the confessions “ of those

a a ll rem ined , assuring them they would be saved with in three days , which was fully verified . A

N LAN 4 . R SO US 8 LIFE OF ST F A CIS .

r . o f f om the rest , as if looking for something One ’ frie n ds a o f u his , member the King s Council at Q ito ,

a asked him where he wa s going . The S int replied “ a o th t he was lo king for his habit . The waves ” i ff a ffi have carr ed it O , s id the O cer . But Solana s trusting in the mercy o f G o d a n “ w re : a s e d Go d . a I hope in , th t my Father , St Fr n ” a a . cis , who has given me the h bit will lso restore it

a a n And so he did , for in h lf hour our S a int

o ld a a u returned wearing his h bit , cord and c p ch .

Truly our Lord deals wonderfully with his Saints ,

u a even while leading them thro gh tri ls , providing

a at the same time for their wants , if necess ry com manding the sea to give up its prey So la n us could “ in truth apply the words o f Is a ias to himself : And

a a 0 now , thus s ith the Lord that cre ted thee , Jacob ,

r . I a n d fo med thee , O Israel Fear not , for have redeemed thee a n d c a lled thee by my n a me ; thou

a a u art mine . When thou sh lt p ss thro gh the waters , I will be with thee ; a n d the rivers sh a ll not cover

a a h a thee ; when thou sh lt w lk in the fire , thou s lt ‘ a n o t not be burnt , and the flames sh ll burn in thee ,

a m the Of for I the Lord thy God , Holy One Israel , ” 4 1 a . a a 3 thy S vior (Is i s , , to

h a d d a Although St . Francis been rescue from

a a watery gr ve , yet new perils aw ited him and his

a o n - a h a comp nions land , for the life bo t d left them

a a a in a desol te pl ce , without inh bitants , surrounded by high mountains that ra ised their lofty p e a ks to

’ e the he a vens . Th y Obtained food as best they o f a e could , which consisted fish , herbs and wh t ver AN 3 5 . S L U LIFE OF ST FRANCIS O S.

they found in the woods . A serious a ccident o c cured while in th is lonely pla ce . Some of their n u mber h a d ga thered a kind of fruit which a ppe a red

a delicious , but proved a de dly poison ; for they died

n - t f within twe ty four hours af er e ating it . A ter this

a r a ll a a sa d occurrence St . Fr ncis requi ed e t bles to

r be fi st brought to him and to be blessed .

a a Our S int was very successful in c tching fish , which he distributed most liberally among the rest o f

a . the , comp ny On o n e occasion a l a rge shoal o f cra wfish made their wa y towa rds the little hut Fra ncis had erected a s h a d a fo r himself ; if they been expected , he s id “ : a to them Come , my children , cre tures o f God , a do not refuse to become the food Of us , your l rger ” brothers , who are almost starving . They seemed

a a a to u nderst nd this langu ge , and llowed themselves

0 be distributed among the people . The first ca re Of our S a int o n his arrival h a d been to erect a ch a pel from the rem a ins o f the stra nded

a vessel . When finished , a st tue of our Blessed Lady s a ved from the shipwreck , was placed in it . Here th e . a s da St Fr ncis as embled people every y , praying a n a n d a a a n d pre chi g to them , giving f mili r instruo

o f o ur tions upon the truths holy religion . Here , “ ” a o f o u r a o f before the st tue L dy , Star the Sea , h a t ey ch nted the Salve Regina , with the true fervor

n f a a a d melody o C tholic Sp niards . Mass could not a s be celebr ted for none of the vestment , holy vessels ,

o r a a - a h a d wine lt r bre d been saved . They were therefore obliged to supply as best they could the 3 6 S LANUS L I FE OF ST FRANCIS O .

loss of this gre a t Sacrament by other devotions . We re a d in the Book o f Ed us that many of th e

a Egypti ns , who were drowned while crossing the Red

e a e n a a af S , w re seen o the sea shore few d ys ter a a o f w rds by the Isr elites , reminding them the a n d f B ut a mercy goodness o God . when part of ’ the ship s c a rgo wa s washed a shore some of those

a f a i who found it , inste d o th nking Alm ghty God for His ca re a this proof Of and goodness , qu rreled

m a a s a ong themselves , cl iming the goods their property merely beca use they h a d found them ; while others swore most positively that th e articles h a d formerly belonged to them , and therefore were

a f r a cl imed o th t reason . All this caused frequent quarrels which might have ended in bloodshed , but

‘ r a n a o u Saint being angel of peace , usu lly succeeded

n o n e in settli g the dispute . On occasion he had re to i course to his discipline , not chastise the d spu

tants as they deserved , but to scourge his own frail

a u a i body , alre dy much red ced by his continu l fat gues

m o rtifica tio n s a a and . This remedy lw ys had the ff desired e ect , peace being at once restored . Fiftyd ays had alre a dy p a ssed and yet no prospect

Of relief c a me to cheer these unfortu n a te people . During this time Father B a lth a zar with a sm a ll b a nd h a d ventured to brave the perils Of the se a in a trip to

“ a a Panama , for the purpose Of Obtaining ssist nce from the government for their comp a nions left be

a h a d a hind . M ny days p ssed since their departure , — and yet nothing h a d been he a rd Of th e m;th e ir friends

were therefore almost ready to despair . A 3 7 . SOL N LIFE OF ST FRANCIS US.

h a a The Eve of C ristm s c me , they retired to rest , a a discoura ged a n d he a rtbroken . Sol n s however did

a a not lose cour ge . Rec lling to mind the goodness a n dh e rcy o f Go d a s m a nifested in the incarnation ’ o n a o f ur of His Son , that memor ble night o Saviour s “ a t e N ivity , when the light shineth in darkn ss his trust in God incre a sed and he saw in spirit the help

to a tha t would come them in a few days . He s “ e a n d sembled the peopl said to them , I announce

n o f r a good tidi gs g e t joy , help will soon be here ; ” t a within hree d ys a ship is to bring us relief. In “ ” a ll a : their joy , excl imed Relief S a lvation l “ But our S a int required a rewa rd for his gl ad ” a a s ! a - a ll tidings . Wh t w it Th t should celebrat e

. a n d Christmas Eve with him They did so , Fr a ncis preached to them upon the great love of God m a ni f d f th e ste in the birth o our Lord and Redeemer , e f second person o the Blessed Trinity . All were a n d e difie d deeply inte rested greatly , forgetting for the time their extreme poverty and suffering .

On the third day the promised relief ca me . The a mission of Fa ther B a lth zar had been successful .

n a On arrivi g at P nama , a large vessel was quickly manned a n d laden wi th provisions and other n e ces

a a s u sarles . The first sight of its white s il w joyf lly h a iled by So l a n u s and his people ; th e l a tter were re a dy to fa ll o n their knees and th a nk F a ther Francis for his prayers and B alth a zar for h a ving risked his life and endured so m a ny hardships to bring them relief. Father B a ltha z a r felt tha t he

‘ was indebted to the prayers of o ur Saint for his safe 3 8 A F SOL NUS. LIFE OF ST . RANCIS re turn th e a , promise of which h d induced him to under

“ a a . . t ke the voy ge Provisions , etc , were now freely ff a distributed a mong the su erers . After fully s tisfy i n n t all a to tefn o g their hu ger , hey h stened their p r a ry ch a pel a n d with truly gra teful hear ts returned public th a nks to Almighty God f o r his merciful

a h ur preserv tion . Nor did t ey forget o Blessed

a L dy . Her statue was carried in procession to the o n ship . All were soon board ; the anchor wa s a l a weighed , s i s spre d and the ship directed her course

. a u to Peru , where St Fr ncis was to enter pon a new

“ and im porta nt field o f l a bor . He could now truly apply to himself the words o f the Canticles : “ a t M ny wa ers cannot quench charity , neither ca n the floods drown it ; if a man shou ld give all the a o f subst nce his house for love , he shall despise it ” t . as no hing . (Cant . viii , CHAPTER VI .

P eru .

! History testifies that the first missionary priests o f America were from the Order of St. Francis of

Assissi . The way had been prepared by the intro duction o f Christendom into the C a na ry Isl a nds in 1 450 by Franciscan Fa thers from the Span ish be n Province . The missions In these islands have e

- Dida cu s . honored by the labors of St . , a lay brother Fa thers o f the s a me Order prevailed o n Ferdinand a a to V . and his roy l consort Is bella , entrust three ships and one hundred a n d twenty men to Christo 14 2 pher Columbus in 9 . After this first voyage the a fo r great explorer petitioned his m jesty more ships , a ll s a ilors a n d missionaries . The king furnished to VI exce pt the latter , leaving Pope Alexander . the a ppointment o f these . His Holiness issued a bull

1 493 a n in May, , permitting the king to send pious d le a rned - men who would be able to preach the Gospel

di ta n tr e io n s . s P 0 . . in those g Father John erez , S f F. to a , Con essor Queen Is bella with some other prie sts from the same order , accompanied Columbus

a on his second voyage . He l nded again a t Ha yti i T and there founded a c ty . o honor the memory o f hi s a a f ther he named it S nto Domingo . Fa ther Perez had a chapel and altar erected and there cele — R e . Sc r e r L Fr v . S . an J . t s So a n a s h oed ife of ci l . [39] 4 0 L LAN S . IFE OF ST . FRANCIS O US bra te d the first Mass on the island . Through the ff m a e orts of Colu bus 3. Convent w s afterwards erected r 1 505 n e f he e in , being the first o in the Province o o the H ly Cross in the West Indies . It was not long before many more Fra nciscan s W s a went to this New orld , o that found tions were

a a n d a soon m de Provinces formed . The chief mong them were The Province of the Holy Gospel in Mex ico t 1 543 a o f a t , erec ed in th t the Twelve Apostles ,

Li a P e ru i n 1553 St. Jo se h a t a a 1 559 m , , p , Yuc t n , in

. P a a Holy Apostles , St eter and P ul , at Mechoac n , 1 a in 565 . M ny others might be mentioned if space permitted . The first Bishopric in this country was created in

1 5 1 1 . a by Pope Julius II , at San Domingo , F ther

F. a a r iu a . . G c s de P dilla , O S , was ppointed as its head . The first Bishop and Archbishop a ppointed

n o the Con tinent , in Mexico , were also from the f s a me Order . The labors o the sons o f St . Francis n a in South America produced an abu d nt harvest , T o especia lly in Peru . w Provinces had been erected — o n e of the Twelve Apostles and the other o f St .

Francis . do u s f e Father Jo c de Ryoke , o M chlin , and Petrus

u el f a e s G o ss , o Louv in , had be n very uccessful in ' a Va n Lo o B rents Oo n s ec thes e m issions . F ther ( p

o Fra n c . Aucto re s P raeci . Missi n . rd . . tu , p 0 8

’ F B ern a rdo a n Lo o - Lo va m 18 63 r . V , ) says

a f s The fo und tion o the most succes ful missions , which the Fra nciscans had and still have in the

n f a s Jo do cus ki gdom o Peru , w laid by Father de

N 42 L . SOLANUS IFE OF ST FRA CIS .

fi rst settlers in o ur o wn land ca n imagine what gre a t obstacles had to be met and overcome be fore our s f H w mi sionaries reached their new field o labor . o ever a priest who consecrates himself entirely to h is a a l ffi s cred c lling is ful y prepared for such di cultie s . But a Saint who earnestly desires to suffer a n d die for his Lord and M a ster that he may thereby obtain ’ a a e the m rtyr s crown in the mission ry field , rejoic s

ur . a t every new trial and labor . Thus did o Saint

a n d a a e r The more rugged toilsome the ro d , the gre t

His a wa s his joy . companions testify th t nothin g could discourage him ; while his example served to

a f cheer them . Everything became an occ sion o r ra ising his heart to God and o f being more inte r

n ally united with Him .

a n M y years before this , the Friar Minor , Brother Alphonsus de Sa n Bon a venture o f a n Andalusi a n Province in Tucum a n had endeavored to convert the

f a Indian tribes o that country . A similar ttempt had previously been made by Brother Lu dwig Bol a

n h o o n os , w spoke and wrote a treatise Christian d ff Doctrine in five i erent Indian dialects . This

r t a a n d n Brothe was af erw rds ordained priest , co

e o f a a vert d many heathens in the Province P r guay . According to some authorities he b a ptized more than

20 000 .

f w e The field o labo r upon hich St . Francis ntered had therefore been in a measure cultiva ted and p re pared for the abundant ha rvest o f souls soon to be gathered . Although Tucum a n was to some extent s ettled by Spaniards , yet their example had done AN 43 . SOL US LIFE OF ST FRANCIS .

f h a a much to check the progress o t e true f ith . M ny of the villa ges in Tucuman were peopled by con

a a a verted Indi ns ; there were lso Indi n settlements , n a where schools had been opened by the missio ries , as a more effe ctive mean s of ensuring perm a nent

a . a su ccess in their l bors . St Fr ncis commenced his

a o f Oko to n io work by instructing the poor Indi ns S ,

a n Magda lena d other places . a In order to accomplish the end in view , Solan s

a a had first to learn the v rious Indian di lects . a c a o n o We re d in Holy S ripture , th t Pentec st Sund ay the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles a wh o a lso received the mir culous gift o f tongues . The people who witnessed this mira cle were o f “ co u rse a stonished and exclaimed : Behold l are not

a ! a all who spe k Galileans And how h ve we , every ”

a e . on e , he rd our own tongu wherein we were born

(Acts ii . 7

This mira cle has been frequently repeated . Go d h as often imp a rted th e gift o f ton gu es to a postolic men whom He destined a s messengers among the Gentiles! In th i s way He confirms th e word that is h e t u o n m cm preac d , h s c v g the heathens that He is f the Ruler o the Universe . Sa f f Our int is a proof o this , o r he learned in o n e i a o f i h n ght , by the ssistance Alm g ty G o d , not only to a th e ff a n ua sp e k di erent Indi n la g ges , but also the

t e a a ~ dialec s of ch langu ge most fluently . The Toko u e wa s oti the only exception . This he studied for

1 5 a . Ve lde s d ys Andreas Garcias de , th e Sp a nish at Commander Talavera , was his teacher , but at 44 LAN S L I FE OF ST FRANCIS SO U .

th e end o f this time the pupil surpassed his master in the correctness with which he spoke and pro n ounced that dialect ; he even excelled the natives h t emselves , so that he could co rrect their errors ; and when they listened to his instructio n s it seeme d

as if his life must have been spent with them . T he h a he a thens were so astonished at t is mir cle , they thought our Saint must have been taught by the gre a t

a u ch u o r h a d At g s , their chief deity , that it been

a . t cco mplished by some magic The conver s , how

ever , knew well enough that the great Master o f

heaven and earth had been his t eache r . They “ therefore returned thanks to Him from whom

e a s i . cometh every best and very perfect gif (J . , a St . Francis commenced his labors at T lavera

and in the vicinity . Before going among the neigh t boring ribes , he strengthened all those who h ad t a be en converted o the f ith . He preached to the r people whe ever he found them assembled , even in th e streets and public squares . He visited the poor a n d t to sick , minis e ring their wants and consoling o f a u ctio n o f l them by words full the the Ho y Ghost.

a He begged alms and assistance from the we lthy , st di ributing whatever he collected among the needy . The words o f Isaias when spe a kin g o f the mission o f Christ might truly have been a pplied to o ur “ : o f th e Lo rd se Saint The spirit . is upon me becau he hath anointed me He hath sent me to preach to to f the meek , heal the contrite o heart , to preach rele ase to the captives and deliverance to them that a re T shut up . o proclaim th e a cceptable ye ars o f OLAN 45 S US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

f ur the Lord and the day o f vengeance o o God , to 1 comfort all that mourn . (Is . lxi . , , Consequently o ur S a int was welcomed everywhere Among the poor and distressed because they foun d

in him a helper , comforter and true friend in their tri als and afflictions ; among the rich because they knew that their alms distributed by his sacred h a nds “ Fo r m would bring them many a blessing . al s

a a delivere th from de th , and the same is th t purgeth a way sins and maketh to find mercy and life ever

. fre elv l asting . (Tob . xii , Hence they gave him

of their abundance .

. a o f St Fr ncis was a particular friend children , without making any distinction ; all were equally

o f r clear to him , whether Spaniard , Indian , Negro o n mixed parentage , because in each o e he recognize d an immorta l soul redeemed by the blood o f Jesus n Christ. The little o es therefore loved to be with him , and as soon as he appeared , would exclaim “ ” The S a int is coming 1 In this Solana s imitated “ th e F f great riend o little ones , who said Suffer little children to come to me , and forbid them ‘ ” n o t o f f , for such is the kingdom o God . (Mark x . , Not fa r from Ta lavera were two Indian settle ments where the missiona ries taught the converted

a Indians agriculture and the mechanic l arts , that they might become acquainted with the manners and o f customs civilization . The Jesuits called their “ ” o n r R eductio n s c g egations . Who has not heard th e R f I of renowned eductions o ndians , conducte d 4 6 L L O . IFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO AN S

o f P a a by the Jesuit Fathers ar gu y , South America , a lso o f those in C a lifornia directed by the Fra ncis ca ns ! There were simil a r Reductions at So ko to n io

an d a So la n us a a t a Magd lena when rrived , but th t

time were without a priest . These were therefore

“ committed to his care , and soon had every re a son to rejoice in being placed unde r the guid a nce of so wim

a a a n d holy a director. Solan s made d ily visits alter l o f n a te y to each these settlements , preached to the

pe ople , administered the Sacraments and instructed n r th e children . At oon he usually etired at a short dis ta nce from the village to take his frugal repast o n

a little hill , where he could at the same time raise to his mind and heart God in holy meditation . The t works o f nature were his delight , he could herefore m ake everything connected with them a means o f intercourse and union with the great Creator o f th e

Universe . The birds soon found a friend in o ur a n d Saint , would warble their sweetest songs wh ile

a i he shared his scanty rep st w th them . They would l perch on his head and shoul ers , readily obey him , a n d often would not depart until they had received

a his blessing . But not only birds , but lso wild o f beasts , the terror man , became subject to h is will . as f It really seemed if these animals , conscious o

f ur r - the gre a t innocence o o Saint , e entered the s tate of primitive subjection natural to them at the

re f a c ation o the world , when the whole anim l a i kingdom was subject to Ad m , the r master .

o n e a n h is On occasion , as Solan s was o way to 4 7 C L O . LIFE OF ST . FRAN IS SO AN S

a a a e the school , short distance from T l vera , Andr as

a a o f a a n o n G a rci s , the comm nder T laver , bei g

a St. a a s horseb a ck a little in a dv nce of Fr ncis , w a t suddenly met by a n infuria ted bull . He saw once r th at the bull would a tt a ck his horse . He therefo e

n a a n d . n spurred o the nimal , made his escape Bei g o u t o f d a nger he remembered the poor monk and a t ins ta ntly turned his horse to save him , even was the risk o f his o wn life . What his astonish u ment to see the bull , a moment before so f rious ,

a a o ur now quiet and t me as a l mb , at the side of

Saint , who gently caressed and blessed him , when

n a he quietly trotted up the hill . A dreas G rcias was

f a o ur a o course greatly stonished , but S int putting

h is a his finger to lips forb de him to mention it . But

a Andre s could not keep such a wonder secret , and it wa r a la n u s soon published ab o d . In this So s imi ta te d o u r s trit tl a t Lord , who y ch rged hem , saying “ a n See th t o m a n know it . But they going o u t

a a a . spre d his f me abroad in all that country . (M tt i x . , 30 , On a nother occasion Andreas G a rcia s h a d an opportunity of ascerta i ning h o w Go d protected his

a servant . While both tr veled together they came to a river ; the wa ters were so much swollen by

a a s a a recent r ins to m ke navigation d ngerous . They

n a e tered the boat aw iting them , when the cloak of So la n u s fell into the wa ter a n d wa s soon ca rried o ut o f sight by the swift current . They continued the o j urney after crossing the river , but the officer a through pity for_ Solan s , retraced his steps to the 48 - AN SOL US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

a o f a . b nk , hoping he might catch a glimpse the clo k Imagine his surprise when he saw it nicely spre a d a o ut o n the grass as if to be dried . Garci s took up the cloak most respectfully and placed ‘ it reverently o n the shoulders o f the holy man . The Indians witnessed another great miracle

wrought through the intercession o f o ur Saint . In their settlement there was n o water fit fo r drinkin g ; they therefore made preparations to cha nge their location for another , better adapted to their wants . a o f St . Fr ncis was much grieved when he heard this , fea ring the poor Indians might neglect their religi s o u duties , lose the faith and return to idolatry . At the same time their health and prosperi ty made it f r o necessary o them t have pure water . St . Francis to i had recourse prayer in this , as n all other emer

ge n cie s ; an answer soon came . One mo rning he o f So ko to n io u o f entered the settlement , f ll joy , and a ssemblin g the people told them they co uld still i remain there , as water n abundance would be

furnished . They replied it would be impossible , as they had searched every spot o f ground in that

a region , as their foref thers had done before them , f without ever finding a spring o fresh water . Sola “ nus cried o ut in a loud voice P ut your trust in the power o f Go d ; come with me ; I will show you ” \ a n d . water fresh pure Still distrusting his words , h they followed him reluctantly . Like anot er Moses ur in the desert , o Saint led them to a very dry

to ff a n d e place , pointed a spot with his sta direct d

di . the people to g there They did so , and after

50 A . SOL NUS LIFE OF ST FRANCIS . his power with God for the destruction o f the se

“

t . h a d s a insec s This promise c rcely been made , when suddenly , as if they had received a direct com

a e mand , the gr sshoppers turn d their course a n d a a o f flew aw y to the b rren mountains Cordova , where they soon perished

II CHAPTER V .

So la n a s i n T ucu m a n C h a ko P a ra ua t , , g y, e c.

a So la n u s St . Fr ncis was not satisfied with preach

a a a ing only to those Indi ns in the small vill ges , th t

a e a were lr dy mostly converted , his thirst for souls

” urged him to extend his l abors among those who a a a we re still in a b rb rous st te .

a a ea a He fe rlessly went mong them , t ching nd

a f a pre ching the truths o Christi nity , caring nothing

n a wa s a fo r his o w s fety and comfort . He lmost o u r to co n sumed with the desire to die for Lord ,

r shed his blood for the redemption o f immo ta l souls . He fully verified the advice given by the Apostle o f the Gentiles to his beloved disciple Timothy : “ i a o u t o f Pre ch the word , be instant in season , sea

. a ll a a n d son , reprove , entreat , rebuke with p tience ” thOu doctrine . (II Tim . iv . , Be vigilant ,

a ll do o f t labor in things , the work an evangelis , ” fulfill thy ministry . (II Tim . iv . , Whenever he heard that a C a z ic (Indian chie f) OLANU 5 1 R S S. LIFE OF ST . F ANCIS

t was in the vicini y , he would hasten thither and a spe ak so e a rnestly to them , that they flocked round

a him , listening e gerly to his pious instructions then C a n d rai sing the crucifix , he would preach hrist Him

n a h cru cified , continui g these l bors of love until t ey were converted to the true fa ith . He would even go to them at midnight when engaged in their rude ga mes a n d dances if there happened to be a wa s a u lunar eclipse , when they thought the moon bo t

a f n a to die , he expl ined the cause o the phenome , thus removing their superstitious ideas rega rding it . The travels o f Sol a na s among th e tribes brought

fa r a a n a a him as s S Jago o r S nti go del Estero , a

n D 28 ° o Spanish town o the Rio olce , s uth lati

a 1 562 . wa s fla t tude , l id out in The country very , and the Indi a ns soon left it o n account of the Span i a rd u r a s , therefore o S int remained there but a short

a s n R i xa time and h tened o to o . This town is situ a t o n a o f ed the bound ries Chili , at the foot of the

a a n d a s i e vi us . Andes Mount ins , w settled the year p o T h e Spa niards had been attracted thither by the silver mines found in the vicinity . There were , how ever , but a few Of them , and being frequently exposed to a a a a a the tt cks of the Indi ns , h iled the rriva l o f o ur a a w l S int with gre t joy , kno ing how friend y th e n a tives were with him whom they rega rded as a o f a messenger pe ce and good will . Nor were they

a disappointed In their expect tions . His l a bors among these people produced an abund a nt h a rvest ;

a they were converted , b ptized and solemnly pledged t their allegiance o the Spanish crown . Thus we se e 5 2 O . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS SOLAN S

that what could not be accomplished by force o f a wa s o f rms , obtained by the meekness and virtue

a i o ur S nt . Whole tribes were attracted thither and made se t tle m e n ts R io xa at , became peaceable , industrious a th e an d h ppy citizens . These conversions aroused jealousy and anger o f the tribes living in the moun ta in u s o region between the rivers Dolce and St.

- fi f Tome . Forty ve o the chiefs ordered their men a n to t ke revenge o the Spaniards , by either killin g r o taking them prisoners , and sacrificing them to F their gods . o r this purpose they encamped o n a

a a r~ hill ne r the city , and commenced their w da n ce s f to the great terror o the converted Indians , as well

as o f the Spaniards . This occurred in Holy Week o n Ma u n da y Thurs day . The Christians had just received Holy C o m

s C munion and were still as embled in the hurch , when the sad tidings reached them . The women m re ained to weep and pray , but the men gathered tero around their General , Pietro C o , who exhorted them to resist even to the shedding o f the last drop “ f : ff o their blood , saying Better to su er death , than ” f . a fall into the hands o these cannibals Solan s ,

n . however , objected very stro gly to these measures He commanded them all to remain quiet until his ’ return ; then left the town and entered the enemy s

m die o r . ca p , d e termined either to save his people ! f On this occasion he imitated St . Francis o Assissi who o n a similar mission entered th e camp o f the

S ul tan . A 53 . OL N LIFE OF ST FRANCIS S US.

With cross in hand Solan a s passed through the excited crowd that flocked around him ; the n n standing o an elevated place , he addressed them in “ n early the following wo rds o f the Psalmist : Why have the Gentiles raged and the people devised vain ! a n d things The kings of the earth stood up , the , a n d a a princes met together , against the Lord g inst ”

h P . . 1 is Christ . ( s ii , , Then raising his cru ifix n c , he ap pealed to them in such forcible la guage tha t they could not resist him ; his cause was ga ined “ fo r He taught them as one having authority and ”— — i e . not as their Scribes and P harisees , . their

o n . . . w priests and teachers (Matt vii , They “ a in turn became his willing disciples , asking wh t - t N a they m ust do o be saved . o w when they he r d these things , they had compunction in their hearts, and they said to P eter and th e rest o f the apostles : ‘ ’ What shall we do , men and brethren . But Peter ‘ said to them : Do penance and be baptized every o n e f u f e o yo in the name o Jesus Christ , for th m f re ission o your sins , and yo u shall receive the gift ’ of . 3 7 the Holy Ghost (Acts ii . , , In this important in te rvI e wo ur Saint also insiste d

e f a f upon the nec ssity o baptism . The gr ce o Go d having been poured upon this band of warriors, ' numbering nearly nine thousand , they knelt down , reverently bowed their heads and received the waters o f regeneration from St . Francis . Then casting away their weapons , they m arched o n with joyful h R io xa n earts to , reflecti g upon the great miracle a that ha d been wrought . Their army w s compo sed 54 N LAN . SO U LIFE OF ST FRA CIS S.

of recruits from va rious tribes spe a king different

a dialects . The S int had addressed them in but one a a h a d a a n d u langu ge , and yet e ch he rd nderstood in

n n a a s sufi ci e nt his o w to gue . This mir cle w to con vince and confirm them in their true faith they were

a n da a a a so on civilized , d to this y h ve rem ined f ith t ful to their religion . In so doing hey followed the “ a : counsel of the Roy l Prophet And now , 0 ye

a a kings , underst nd , receive instruction , you th t

. a judge the earth Serve ye the Lord with fe r , and

rejoice unto Him with trembling . Embra ce dI scI

a n a n pline , lest at y time the Lord be angry d you

r ust a perish f om the j w y, when His wrath shall be kindled a t any time ; blessed are all they tha t trust ” la n . P s . . 1 0 So u a in Him ( ii , , s thus bec me the in strument of averting a gre a t mass a cre from

R i xa a n do ubt h a ve o , since those Indi s would , no ,

a a n d k a sacked the town , sc lping illing all the inh bit ants o f which the history o f North Ameri ca furnishes

so man y terrible ex a mples .

a a R io xa co n S t . Fr ncis rem ined some time at to

n a firm the Indian converts i the true f ith , then resum e d his travels and labor to wa rdSthe north

a P a ta m a rka s o n u e st , passing through to San Mig el

’ l u i n the va lley o f C a ch a q i n . Whe rever he a ppeared the natives flo cked around

a c a n d a . him, sking and obtaining instru tion b ptism fa r i His fa me h a d already spread and w de , the poor Indi a ns rega rdin g him as a messenger fromthe Great to T u cum a n Spirit . Thence he directed his course ,

’ a little Spanish village o n the slo pe o f the Sierra AN 55 . SOL LIFE OF ST FRANCIS US.

ui a a s o Aco n q g . This w a beautiful and fertile sp t ; a it seemed like an earthly p a ra dise . Th t country owes its fertility to the Rio de Tucum a n flowing

B ra n e s th e a re from the north into la ke o g . On west the woods and mounta ins sh a dowing the winding

w u . valleys below , which ho ever were nproductive So la n u s found but few Indians among the Spanish to o t population . They were fond of their liber y , a r an d , considering it end ngered by foreign invade s ,

a b retired fa rther east. They had le rned too well y

th e a previous experience , that Europe n settlers

a t ri sk~o f t r a m would , even the hei lives , m ke the selves m a sters Of whatever country they foun d

a a a s n ad pted to their w nts , had already been do e S ’ in both North and outh America . The district where he n o w l a bored was surrounde d

a on the north by wooded mount ins , south by swamps a n d sandy deserts ; o n the east flowed th e a h e great river P raguay , while on the west towered t

i f ~ n wn o r n W i P r i n h i The well k o hi st ia ill a m H . e scott s ! ” “ n u st o f P ru h a s tru sa i r u t i n n ta t w th Co q e e , ly d B o gh co c i se m - i m a n th e Eu rO e a n wi th h is n wm n ts a n d e ffe c i civ lized , p , e do e ti r so m a su ra Su r o r h im a l tt r ve fo ce im e bly pe i , hold i le hig he h e ru a n d a s l f r h a th a n t t rn u a o i s s r . f s t t b e , bo eq ly e vice He eel h h a s a n a tura r i t a s i tw r to h i s n o r t a t t i s he l gh e e obedie ce , h h b n e i s to m a su r n o t tt s w rs th e a r a r i a n o edie c be e ed , by po e of b b , bu t b th e w o f h i s n u r r . R si s t n e m s a r m to y ill co q e o e e ce b co e c i e , e w o n ta o f b a s hed u t o ly i n th e blood o f th e vic tim . The le su ch a tro c i ue s i s n o t n fin to th e a ni a r s W r r th e co ed Sp d . he eve civil i z e d m a n a n d t e sa a a e m i n n ta t i n th e a s t o r in h v ge h v co e co c , E ” r h e W s th s r h s o f n r n V 1 . t t e t a to t n w tt i n bl o d o l . 1 e , o y o e bee i e . [ P a g On th e i h t p a g th e s a m l u m th e l a rn e e “e g h e of e vo e e d a u thor a ls o sa ys : T h e e ffo rt to Ch ri s ti a n ize th e h e a then i s a n n rabl a ra t r sti o f th e S a n i s I n u e s t P u r ta n s ho o e ch c e i c p co q . The i , wi t e u a re u s z e a m a ra t e i tt fo r th e n v r h q l lig io l , d id co p iv ly l le co e si n th e I n i a n o n t n t a s i t wo u s m W i t a n s e u r o of d , c e , ld ee , h h vi g c ed to hims e lf th e i n e stim a ble privilege o f wa rsh i p p i n g God i n h i s OWII O e r a wh o wa th dven tu rers occu pied th e Ne w World h a ve o ft e n h e to o l i ttle reg a rd fo r religio n th e m selve s to b e very solicitou s u t S r a n i t a n th e s e B u h e n s a bo p e di g mo g av a s . t t Sp a i sh m i si on a ry from firs tto l ast h a s shown a e e n in terest i n th e ap t: i za e l LI FE OF F SOLANUS ST. RANCIS .

t f a lo fty Cordilleras o the height o many thous nd feet. Many ri vers have their sources in these ; as the Pilco

a a f a a M jo , the princip l river o Chili , the S l do , Ver m o r c ejo Red river, which flowing through C ha o render th e land very fertile . The spot h a d bee n chosen by many Indian tribes as suitable for a n a en campment . Although continually fighting mong o n n e themselves , yet all agreed o point , which was a eternal enmity to the Europeans . This h tred was d o f cause by the ruthless invasion the foreigners , wh o had by the force o f arms wrested the land from o la n us its lawful owners . S found these Indians

n a leadi g a wandering life , without houses n d but little clothing . Hunting and fishing occupied most of t ir r f th e he time , thei ood being also flesh of the r o f p iso ners war . d d 1556 An reas Manso , a Spanish comman er , in u to vent red enter this region with his men , but all r so we e furiously attacked by the Indians , that every w l fare h e n a s Un r h is a u s s u r e s o n a m e of t tive . de pice ch ch ag n i fice n t s a a n re t s s fo r m n ta r i a c le h ve bee e c ed , chool ele e y s tru t n u n a n d r ra t n a an s ta n to s r i a d th e c io fo ded , eve y io l me ke p kn o wle d r i u s tru t w h a s a rr h i s so i ta r e of el gio h , hile he c ied l y m ss n to r t a n d a st n a ss b re i o n s o r a t r h i s i io emo e lmo i cce i le g , g he ed I n dia n d e scip le s in to commun ities ; l ike th e good La s Ca sa s i n

u an a . o r l i e h e J su ts i n a rn a a n d P ra u a C m k t e i C lifo i a g y . At a ll ti e s th e c o u ra o u s l sia sti h a s n r a dy to li t h is , m g ecc e c bee e f i a a i n st th e ru lt th e co n u ero r a n d th e n o ss wa st n vo ce g c e y of , le i g u t o f th e n st a n d w n i s r m n stra n s a s wa s to o c pidi y colo i , he e o ce , ft n th e a s a r u n a a n h a s sti f o w to o e c e , h ve p oved v ili g , he ll oll ed n u th e r n — a r t to t a th e r n a n r s n a t n bi d p b oke he ed , e ch poo I di e ig io n d i t t e u n der h i s l o t. a light u p h s da rk in ell ec with th revel a tion o a r a n d r st n I n re w n th e - sta n ed f holie happie exi e ce . vie i g blood i r r s o f a n i s n a l st r i t i s bu t fa r a n d a t th e sa e eco d Sp h colo i hi o y , i , m t e e e rin to r fl tt a t th e sa m n a t n t a t s e n t rt th e im ch e ec h e io , h fo h ar - h e a rte c n u r r fr i ts o s s n t rt th e m ss n a r h d o q e o om b om , e fo h i io y t th e w r 0 1 be n e fice n ce a n d s r a th e h t o f bhr isti a n o do o k , p e d li t e h r e h rl d ci vi liz a ion ov r t e fa th st re ion s of t e Ne w o . The fo regoi n g pa ssa ge s cite d ro m th e gre a t Americ a n historian wi ll dou btless p l a c e i n a cle a re r light th e mis sion ary l a bors of St Fra ncxs as l as th e n u t th e n an s , we l co d c of I di .

5 8 F AN I LA n R C S SO NUS. LIFE o ST .

e d t to they had hith rto led , devote their a tention a griculture a n d other arts necessary to the gre a t cha nge they had u ndergone . Al though some o f th em afterwards returned to

a l d a their former w ndering ife , yet to this y the memory of So l a n us is held in benediction by the se m Indians . On returning fro their hunting grounds o r r in their canoes f om their fishing expeditions , they

a o f o ur a f to t lk t ogether S int , as o the one sent them

r v i n f om hea en , sing ng the so gs he taught their fore t i him fa thers . They have also immor al zed in their o wn songs . la n u s c t ba tiz So passed through C ha o , eaching , p i n th e a g and working miracles , then arrived at gre t

a r t i s . P aguay , which separa es these two countr e s o a r 1 000 1 200 e t Thi river is very br d , f om to f e , — a n a to h im d there was no bo t take across . This did n o t however trouble the Indians , for they wo uld much rather have reta ined their good a n d holy w s . e o ma ter But he insist d up n go g , having be en a to s sent to pre ch the inhabitant across the river . He then exhorted his flock to persevere in the true a n e f ith , in peace and charity with o another , then e s e bl s d them , and raising his eyes to heaven seemed

as . As n o a s hi s if in ecstasy boat w ready for use , ’ n e o f t a h heaven provided o the Sain s m ntle , whic he sp read upon the waters and s a iled in it to the oppo te r w si shore , leaving his disciples filled with sor o a nd dismay ; a n d mos t joyfully wa s be welcomed by

o f P a l ua . the In dians raguay , ca led G rani I CHAPTER VII .

l ra u a ra ua etc . So a n a s i n P a g y, U g y,

u t Having thu s miraculo sly crossed the grea river ,

a f o r St. Fr ncis to ok possession o the country , rather e a the souls o f the people as if by storm . Th y e gerly d flocke around him , their love and esteem increasing

a a o f P a a a ff d ily . The di lects r gu y di er so much

a h t a ff from e ch other , t at hey are in f ct so many di er

a . t f b ent langu ges It would , here ore , have een a lmost impossible to preach to these tribes if

l u s h a d b r s i So an been o liged , like othe mi sionar es , to stu dy and learn each o n e h e might have acqu ired f a o m . a few , but could never have m stered all the Howwas this difficulty ov ercome ! By the a ssistan ce

f th e a s 111 f t. o Holy Spirit , we see the history o S

w a Francis Xavier , to hom w s imparted the gift of t to o f Go d ongues , enabling him preach the word to the people o f the East Indies in any di a lect of tha t i a country . Our Saint received the same m r culous i f so h c u i f g t , t at he o ld eas ly preach to any o the

e e . n o tub s and conv rse familiarly with them This , do ubt co n tribute d to c , much the wonderful su cess that everywhere attended his apostolic labors . He

o i o u Ura u a c ntinued his miss ons , thr gh Paraguay , g y a n d o f along the rivers these countries , then crossed La d to t Fé the Platta , irecting his course San a , a flou i t S rish ng ci y founded by the paniards in 1578 . [59] 6 0 . LAN LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SO US.

Thence he turned his steps north - west i n the dire c~ n f tio o New Cordova . Wherever he went conversions truly mira culous

a d n tten ed his labors , both among the India s and

E n uro pe a hs . He conti ued to prac tice the sam e a s r a s u te ities which marked his zeal a novice , and

f e n a while in the di f rent conve ts in Sp in , as well as

i ssi a His o u when entering upon his m on ry work . j r

n e s e re a n h y w alw ys performed on foot , duri g whic

e a a a he wor no sand ls , no m tter how rough the w y t might be through the forests and over s eep , rugged

. e r i s n s mountains He nev r carried p o v w , trusti n g s n in Go d for the upply of his wa ts . Fé m While journeying from Santa , a large co pany

o f d d travelers had joined him , as it is not con si e re s a fe to travel alone in that region through fe a r o f

the Indians and wild beasts . Among the number

e a n n were two soldiers , whose appearanc was ythi g n g but prepossessi , in fact their whole conduct

‘

d s . showe that they had led a reckle s , sinful life The coun try through which the tra velers pa ssed wa s a

sterile , desolate waste , not even a tree could be found under which they might seek rest and shelter

r from the scorching sun , neither was there a d op of

i a w a ter to quench their burning th rst . Four d ys

h a d a a n d e t o f e i . m thus p ssed , y no sign r l ef So e began to complain and even curse their sa d fate ; e oth rs , more pious , appealed to heaven for help ;

‘ l t a th e m ca lle d u whi e the mos inf mous among , pon T the devils in hell for assista nce . h e two soldiers

” j ust me ntioned see med parti cularly ho ld in their N LAN 6 1 T SO US. LIFE OF S . FRA CIS

a n a e s l e a o f o u r o a ths d bl sph mie , which fi led the h rt

n a s a flo w Sa i t with sorrow , c u ing te rs to down his

a to a s Fisa uirra a che cks . He s id F ther Andrea g , priest o f the Order de Mercede who was with him “ a t the time Although these people a re unwor thy of any fa vor from heaven o n a ccount o f the bl a sph e

r a s mies they utter , neve theless I will show them ,

a s a a . well the rest , spring of w ter Ascend the next hill ; the re y o u will find a folded paper ; two p a ces

ra distant you will see a round stone ; ise it, and fin there yo u will d water gushing forth in a bund an ce . r a could not believe the ass ertion of Sol a “And e s nus ; for how was it possible to fin d a sprin g in

a o r a a o such an rid desert , even p per , where n Europe a n h a d probably ever set foot ! However not daring to contra dict the word o f the a the l l S int , he led trave ers to the litt e hill where the

a a n d hi r m p per stone were found , and gus ng f o

e u s b neath the latter , a crystal spring po red forth it

. s limpid waters All quenched their thir t , and were a bout to ex a mine the p ap er wh en it suddenly dis t n m r a ppeared o be seen o o e . All we re convinced th a t this miracle had been wrought through the

o f o la nu s a a d intercession S , c using their love n

s fo r r a re p e ct him to inc e se continu ally . It i s rel a ted th at when they h a d reach ed the spot o ur w pointed out , Saint , ith outspread hands and

a n n glowing countenance , was rapt in ecstasy . C o

n n t e n th a tin i g h jour ey ey all arrived at Cordov . a s th e a a P sing through city, they s wg llows erected

a s a n b to St. if execution was a out take place . 62 L I . OLAN S FE OF ST FRANCIS S U .

“ Fra ncis said toFa ther Andrea s Do you see the g a llows ! T o - morrowthe two soldiers wh o tra veled with us will be han ged fo r ha ving com mi tted mur ” . a a did ou a der F ther Andre s not d bt this ssertion , having witnessed so many extraordin a ry proofs of ’ a a n t St . Fr ncis s nctity ; e ver heless he co uld not

‘ help being as tonished when he saw the p rophecy a h a verified the next d y . Letters d been secretly sent from Charka with th e order to execute the sol

r n r n die s o their arrival , o whe ever they could be t f aken , which the authorities did not ail to do . The labors o f o ur S a int amon g the different tribe s o f Indians in South America had extended over a period o f fourteen years marked by miraculous e o n versions and acts o f heroic cha rity found only a mong the Saints . He would have preferred to

f a n a spent the rest o his life mong these I di ns , but him t e obedience called elsewhere , and as a rue H ligio u s h e regarded the voice of obedience as the voic e o f to e God , therefore promptly yielded its requir n ments . He had been appoi ted Superior o f th e

' I n a a n d a lth o u h h a missions Tucum n , g he d protested

a a i tha t he l cked the b lity necessary fo r the position , he h a d not been allowed to resign . And now wh en it seemed that his presence was ab solutly ne eded

a a s mong the Indi n , his Superiors thought otherwise ,

a n d being truly a Saint , his sanctity was proved by “ his ready obedience . Obedie n ce is bette r than

g a fi e . s . s cri c (Kin xv , P 1 C HA TER X.

rs i n T u u a n La st yea c m .

We left o ur Saint in Cordova , a city founded in f o rdOVa 1572 by Jerome Cabrera , a nobleman o C ,

u a da l u a vir . h u on th e G q , in Spain T e co ntry a round the former Cordova is sterile , as the little s stre a m , Rio Primero , is so shallow ometimes to be Se cun de ro a lmost dry , while the other creeks , , Ter

a re t zero and Qu rtero , a so impregnated wi h salt as

n to be u fit for drinking , which leave but little pas ture beside th e salt and rocky meadows . The vine o f is cultiv a ted to a limite d extent . At the time C n which we write , ordova was the pri cipal rendez vous for travelers from Santa Fé to Sa n J u a n de la a n d a e Frontero , was gener lly crowded with p ople a I connected with the tr nsfer business . t was an o f i ts t opulent city , but the piety inhabitan s did not keep pace with its m a terial prosperity consequently the missionary labors o f o ur S a int in this city were ff very great , di ering very much from those that he a h had found necess ry among t e Indians . It wa s not so much a work of conversion from p a ganism and

a o f a a idol try , as a renewing the Sp ni rds , who were a a t lready C tholics , from a life of vice an d tepidity o o n e o f piety and fervor . The effect o f his burn ing words was soon pe r ce ptible by a thorough reform ation in their wh ol e N OLA 4 I E . R S N 6 L F OF ST F A CIS US.

con duct . A great obstacle in the work of christi a n wa a izing the Indians s thus remo ved. St . Fr ncis X a vier found the im m o rafi lives of the Europe a ns in India had much retarded his success among the n a tives ; Solana s likewise found similar troubles th e W connected with his labors in New orld . Had the early settlers in both h emispheres valu e d their immortal souls more tha n the mortal body a n d

a s e rthly riche , all the natives of the New World would doubtless now be numbered among the true u fo llowers of o r Lord . The important mission of o u r Saint at Cordova was fa ithfully and successfully preached , not only in simple , earnest words , but

e a n i still mor by his holy penitenti l life , resulti g n man y remarkable conversions . e Soon the confessionals were crowded , the church s

to so h h a e filled overflowing , t at others d to be erect d for th e acco mmoda tion o f the crowds th a t flo cked

a n a r thither , the merchants generously don ti g l ge

m o f fo r a s th e su s money this purpose , as well for

r o f a e ectio n convents and hospit ls . Some of these o f buildings still stand , awakening th e admiration the beholder .

Our Saint was ve rys z e a lo us in abolishing abuses f o f s in the house o God . Observing that some tho e pres e nt did not conduct themselves properly , he severely rebuked them , even proving his grief by the te ars he shed . s e His piou , rev rent demeanor , taught them what a their o wn conduc t should be . Whenever he p e e peane d at th e altar to celebrate the divine myst ri s ,

66 L I E . N SOLANU F OF ST FRA CIS S. often sing when the conversation was up on the Infant

a h e Jesus , his he rt being filled with joy at t thought o f a the Divine B a be of Bethlehem . The s me m agi ca l influence did o ur S a int exercise over those who

a wa a ca me into his prese nce . He l ys tried to void th e great honor and veneration shown him by the r i th e people , o d rected it to God , giver of every

u go od a n d perfect gift . He ta ght the people to

e s t t a a n d a honor their Sup rior , bo h spiri u l tempor l ,

a n a a s . d to obey those in uthority , St Peter exhorts P r the fai thful . (I ete ii . ) to h Also obey the laws , and , thoug wronged , never e Go d to to reb l , since it belongs to take vengeanc e .

‘ Being informed that some tribes ne a r S a ntiag o de Estero were continu ally qua rreling among them l a se ves, besides being very hostile to the Sp niards , n f he hastened thither as a n a gel o peace . One e xh o r ta tio n alone sufifice d to restore harmony and kindly P m feeling among the disputants . ublic cere onies

a h o too k pl ce , proving to all wfully they were recon ciled , and to express their joy in having Solana s

a with the m , considering him as their f ther , friend

a z ics a a n d brother . The c waited upon him , e rnestly requesting that he would remain with them , promis i ng fa ithful and punctual obedience . The sick and oppressed appealed to him fo r help ; his hands to i raised bless them brought rel ef and consolation ,

a frequently in a mir culous manner . e B ing informed that a certain Indian , named Lule , r was dangerously ill , not knowing whethe he d i i had been baptize , Franc s went immed ately to 6 7 . N SOLAN LIFE OF ST FRA CIS US.

h im S s a n d a his po or hut , found peechle s in the gon f a th e s a e f ies o de th , whilst de ol te wif o the dying India n was moaning o u t her sorrow in a l a ngu a ge

a a . th our S int did not underst nd However , wi ou t

a a n d a a n d losing f ith cour ge , he knelt down com ‘ ‘ m an de d the poor sufie re r to spea k . A double mira

m a n cle was at once wrought , for the sick recovered a n d o ur d spe ech , Saint acquired the knowle ge of his h l a nguage . He gave im the necessary ins truc tion and baptism when the poor Indian left this world h soon after , dying in t e presence o f his saintly teacher .

One afternoon all the inhabitants o f St . Miguel h a d a ssembled to witness the national ga me o f bull fighting: The anim a l to be fought tha t day was a unusually enra ged . Having re ceived sever l serious h e a wo un ds , esc ped beyond the wooden enclosure , \ f killing and wounding a number o Indians . The furious beast finding himself at liberty , rushed down

a a street where o ur S int was walking . The Govern

n Ve la sko a nor , Jua , seeing the gre t danger to which the holy man was exposed , at once ordered all the men within the arena to hasten to his rescue . This

a help would , however , have been to o l te , had not i m d vine Providence previously ass isted hi . Strong

a . o n t in his f ith , St Francis walked quietly , mee in o f b g the flashing eyes the bull y a firm , steady o l lo k ; then , simply raising his cord , the anima , t s ill bleeding from his many wounds , stopped sud a h o ur de ly , then approac ed Saint , licked the cord , a n d a s ini f moaned g ently , if compla ng o the cruelty AN OF R N SOL US. 6 8 LIFE ST . F A CIS

f h ff c o those w o had thus made him su e r . This o o f l a ll curred in sight the governor and peop e , who a n d a m a to rose , h ving ordered the ani al to be t ke n

a a the enclosure , excl imed in w o nder at the mir cle

n a n just wrought . The gover or addressed the S i t “ ” “ ” a a . s aying : Thou art the m t dore Not I , he “ but o ur replied , Lord ; and I thank the God of Heave n and Earth for this speci a l grace just be hull stowed , for, indeed , the was very angry as I ” a t could see by his fierce loo ks . It is not rel ed whether this occurren ce abated the pa ssion for this d a ngerous amusement . After a very laborious mission o ur Saint returned to R io xa so si ck and fatigued that he wa s oblige d ff to go to bed . But even while su erin g fro m a a s f burning fever , Solan did n o t orget his dear chil i a dren n Christ . In vision he sa wthe gre a t peril to

a wa s which an Indian wom n exposed at that time . As it wa s impo ssible for h imto go to her assistance ff r o he su e ed the agonies f death . At length he said “ r wa e o n to the B other who it d him Brother , go to th r e sac isty , where yo u will find a priest who h a s h im t t ” just arrived ; tell o come o me at once .

Nun n e z o f i . The priest was Manuel , San M guel On a previous occasion being very much troubled l ff So lan us a and perp exed about some a air , g ve him d the neede aid and relief, clearing away all his doubts before he had even made them known . On the present occasion o ur Saint u rged him to

a a h a ste n to th e poor Indian wom n . She w s the

e f P l h i re ri s rvant o ietro Sote o , and , av ng been p F OF . R SOLANU 69 LI E ST F ANCIS S. m a n de d a wa s a b by her m ster , out to commit suicide .

Nun n e z n a a left at o ce for the pl ce design ted . On

a m a n the ro d he met a , who sold pigeons . The two n a n entered into conversatio , d becoming very mu ch

n t a i terested , the time passed faster than ei her h d a t f e xpected . Wh was the horror o the pri e st to fin d the In dian wom a n han ging o n a tree at th e a w h a very pl ce to hich he d been directed . He

a n d a l r d could do nothing for her , , gre t y dist esse ,

o l n u s hi m a a d return ed to S a , informing Of wh t he h a a se j ust witnessed . Our S int had lready en the

a f a a whole f ir as in vision , and wept bitterly over

o f a n the untimely end the poor woman , reprim ndi g the priest severely . He ordered that the body be ta ken down and burned as was th e custom there in

a a such cases , adding th t he would deliver the funer l ora tion . The sermon o f o ur S a int was so forcible a n d impressive that henceforth no suicides we re

committed in R io xa . Miracles so frequently a t tended the labors o f Solana s that his whole life

might well be called a continuation o f mira cles . In tra veling from San Miguel to Santi a go del s a s B ildo so la E tero , his companion w Brother Peter

a a a a i G mbr , who had been so busy making prep r t ons a a e a t for the j o urn ey . Our S int was gre tly amus d “ n a a his a xiety , and said with a pleas nt smile , Aw y u with yo r anxiety , we travel under the protection d of GO , who will give us more than your pockets

can hold The Brother was somewhat displeased . h h w e o n a n d T ey , o ev r , proceeded their , soon , way “ ” is c a me to a li ttle stream called Deep Creek . It 70 A OF . OL N LIFE ST FRANCIS S US. u sually so sh a llow that foot passen gers can easily c ross it , but during the rainy season the w a ters are

h a s a very much swollen . Suc w the c se at this time , the river being deep and the current so strong , there seemed no way o f crossing for some we e ks a t

l a . e st All were tired and hungry , so that Brother Peter would h a ve been very glad to have h a d some — o f h e the provisions had left behind . Travelers h a d o n o f collected both sides the creek , some o f whom a began to murmur and even bec me very angry . n - P o e o f a Brother eter also became the compl iners, a n d o f - fille d thinking his well knapsack at home ,

h a d remarked how nice it would be if they it now . “ o lan u s sa l n : S rebuked him , y g Be quiet , Brother ;

I told you God would provide . Then turning to wards his fellow - tra velers he predicted that they would be able to cross the stream at nine o fclo ek the “ : n ext morning , adding The stream will then be

shallow and the waters at rest . And as you are all f o u su fering from hunger , I will give y something to ” e v h a t. Ha ing t us encouraged the people he drew t r forth a li tle fishing net , he car ied with him , and

c a sting it into the water , caught enough fish to sat

i sf . n to y all the people At ight they retired rest , ‘ m akin g themselves as comforta ble as circumstances the r o f a would perm it , hoping p ediction Solan s T r would be verified the next morning . hei anxiety t was o f course very grea , but at the appointed hour

~ the waters had so far subsided that all could cross f o ver without any d i ficulty . Among the number

n z s ! ho was Franciscus Nun e , a prie t, w returned L F N 7 1 IFE O ST . FRA CIS SOLANOS .

a to m f e th nks our Saint , in the na e o all for their saf a delivera nce . To prove still more forcibly that h a d th e a a k miracle been wrought , ~ w ters rushed b c a a n d a o n n gain flowed r pidly as the day before , whe o la n u s a the last person had crossed over . S n d the ’ k Brother continued their journey . About three o cloc in the afternoon a heavy rain fell , but the latter

a n a noticed th t, While his o w h bit was thoroughly

o f o ur i . dren ched , that Sa nt was perfectly dry The “ n : a h o w Brother reverently kissed it , sayi g F ther , is it that your clothes are dry while mine are so ” wet! So la n us humbly replied Brother , God ” ha s so wille d it.

in They arrived at Santiago the evening , when th e Brother related all the wonderful events o f their journey . When he repeated the same the n to ext day the officer , Peter Gonzales , the latter “ : n o t fo r a s replied Do be astonished , Solan is a

n a su ch n holy m a . If our S int had power while o ho n o w earth , w much greater must it be that he is “ o f in th e enjoyment Heaven , where Death shall be

a no more , nor mourning , nor crying , nor sorrow sh ll are be any more , for the former things passed ” away . (Apo c . XXL , R CHAPTE X .

So la nus lea ves T ucum a n , Li ma. a n d T ruxillo .

We have followed St . Francis thus far in his t a e r vels through Tucuman , we have se n him preach in a g to the poor , ignor nt natives and working mir

a h n m I SSI o n . n o cles, t ereby provi g his Let us w a I return to Lima , the capit l of Peru . n this great city had been esta blished the Provinci a l Fra ncisc a n f “ ” Convent o the Twelve Apostles . This mo n as te r y was quite large and the spirit o f St . Francis o f

a r T o a Assissi w s well p eserved there . adv nce more a d i u f e n more in rel gio s per ection , the memb rs of the Province used every means to cultiv a te the spirit of

a r s pr yer a n d recollection . Fo thi purpose some o f m the Convents were more retired, being removed fro f the noise and tumult o the busy world . The most be fervent among the religious retired thither , that ing wholly secluded they might hold intimate con verse with God in holy meditation . Among these s a intly religious was a lay -brother named Andre a s Corso he commenced o n e o f these retreats near the “ a o f a city o f Lima , c lling it The Convent S nta ” f h e . n l 73. e . o t Maria de los A ge os , , Mary Angels “ Here indeed the requirements found in the Genera l ” r o ut viz Statutes o f the Order were fully car ied , “ A place o f spiritual rest and nursery o f perfection

” So la n us for the welfa re o f the whole Province . wa s appointed to continue the work so happily co m [72]

74 SOLAN S L I FE OF ST. FRANCIS U .

a your buri l . The gentleman was astonished , but

So l a n us a o n u p tting him the sho lders , continued “ a a i n fa l Yes , yes , my friend , what I h ve s id will ” libl a y come to pass . And so it proved ; four ye rs l a ter the rich man sold a ll his possessions and e n te re d th e Franciscan Order where he died in pover t ur ty as wa s predicted . The o her prophecy of o “ a a S int was th a t Ta l vera would be destroyed , new m a a Fé a n d Sa n ines discovered , and between S nt Miguel a new city build ; fina lly th a t a ll Ch a ko A would be converted . portion of this prediction ha s : a a i s been verified , viz T l vera no more ; mines

a a h ve been discove red . The l tter p a rt o f the i prophecy though not yet verified , w ll be , no doubt , a s a l a n u divine Providence sh ll decree . So s depart e d o a s f alone n his we ri ome journey o 700 miles .

a o f C hu u isa ba At length he re ched the Convent q ,

200 miles from Lima . The Guardian was very

” much surprised to see o ur Saint wa iting at the door ’ a a n d a n lone sking a night s lodgi g , as it seemed impossible he could h a ve tra versed tha t long dis ta a a An d nce without a guide t le st . so it would

a v a a h e been for an ordin ry person , put for a s int it u was comp a ra tively easy . During this jo rney he ste pp e d for o n e day at the Convent at Potosi . It \ a f 4 th was th e Fe a st o f St . Fr ncis o Assissi , Oct . .

a So la n u s th e a While t dinner with , Guardian s id in “ f da o a honor o the y and of his guest , Brethren , t d y ” let us be gl a d and rejoice in the Lord . This dis pleased some of the Religious who were either ve 'y sad or thought silence should o n no account be SOLAN 75 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS US.

broken . Their thoughts were seen In their serious

So la n u s a n d a n fa ces . observed this , notwithst ndi g

a n d n his love for silence retirement , as well as bei g

a t t a t a much f tigued , he lef his sea the table and beg n o f to d a nce in the middle the refectory , at the same

a time urging a ll to be cheerful a n d ha ppy . His d “ — a a vise wa s readily ta ken . Ecclesi sticus s ys All

a w a n d a things have their se son . A time to eep u A a n a t time to l a gh . time to mourn d ime to ” 1 . . to a da nce . (Eccl iii , Thomas Kempis “ s ays : Evil ought not to be done either for a n y thin g in th e world o r for the love o f a n y man ; but o f o n e t a for the profit h t stands in need , a good

r a t work is sometimes freely to be omitted , o r ther o

a . . I . . u be ch nged for a better (Bk , ch xv . ) Witho t charity the outward work pro fite th nothing ; but a o f a wh tever is done in the spirit ch rity , be it ever w s i so little and orthle s in itself, w ll become fruitful

a u t a e . . 3 . a s St . P l e ch s in Cor xiii , Our Lord considers the love and desire with ‘ which a person th e a performs work , rather th n how much he does ,

ca n . 4 7 h as we read in St Luke vii . , . T omas “ a Kempis says aga in : He does well who rega rds

a a o n r ther the common good th n his w will . He does much th a t loves much he does much that does ”

I . a . . well what he does . (Bk . , ch pt xv ) There fore in th e strictest communities recre a tion a n d

a n a cheerful conversation are llowed o Sund ys , Holi

a n d n i o f n . days , duri g the v sits frie ds In such cases o n e good work is omitted o r chan ged for another

a . and better , th t of charity 76 . N SOLAN LIFE OF ST FRA CIS US.

a u r a On his arrival at Lim , o S int knew tha t his superior h a d a ppo m te d him Gu a rdia n o f the Con

a a n vent Sant Ma ri de los Angelos . He so stro gly o h

e t h o l in f o f a t Je ct d d d g o fice any kind , th t hey yielded

a a n him Vica r in to his wishes , in a me sure , by n mi g

a f a ffi ste d o Guardian , appointing to the l tter o ce a o n e who was we k and sickly , so that in the end the chief duties and responsibility would fa ll upon

So la n u s . While he was thus l a borin g in the retirement of the secluded little Convent near the great metropolis

a a o f a o f Lim , the poor Indi ns Tucum n were weep ing a n d bitterly la menting the loss o f their de a r t friend and eacher . Their sorrow was not only

shown in this way . Many a petition was sent to

the Commissary , Antonius Ort iz , urging the return a of So la n us . He would re dily ha ve yielded to the ir earnest entre a ties had the health o f o ur S a int per

m itte d .

n e a a The next year a w Commiss ry Gener l , Fr .

a Juan de Monte M jor , was sent over from Spain . He insisted that o ur S a int should be the Guardi a n n o f S a nta Ma ria de los Angelos . Fi ding that he a e to f o la n had again been ppoint d this o fice , S u s

a o f a n went to a retired p rt the g rden , and sitting u a n d der a tree , gave vent to his grief in tears sobs .

a F a ther Ju n seeing his deep sorrow , yielded to his

a n d a . wishes , withdrew the nomin tion for that time But soon finding how much good So l a n u s would a c a to complish as Guardi n , appointed him that po B ut n d r s itiou afterwards . his tears a g ief were LAN 7 7 SO US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

n a a t a ga in renewed , and goi g to the Commiss ry S a n d u n Ma gd a len a fell on his knees , refused to rise a a til the nomina tion wa s withdra wn . F ther Ju n a ga in yielded to his wishes and the election wa s

a nnulled . Feeling sure that honorable appointments of some

e ' re m a i n e d a kind would be his portion if h in Lim ,

a o St . Fr ncis earnestly petitioned to be rem ved to d some more retired Convent . His superiors yiel ed

o r a the m e re dily to his wishes , as they noticed his

e wa s a u a a a n d h alth gr d lly f iling , , therefore , sent him

a t a 8 0 o f to the Convent Truxillo , bout miles north

c a a n d a t th e Lima . Here he ould bre the freely same time gi ve full vent to his ze a l for the salva tion of souls a n d his desire to relieve the wretched an d

f e . a a su f ring This arr ngement , however , did not l st

n a 1 a lo g . The nextye r ( 603 ) a new Commiss ry ar a a a r rived , the renowned F ther Ju n Venido , who fte

wa s r wa rd s beca me Bishop of Lim a . He a ve y e u e r e tic g , inflexible person , and soon after his appoint

a t a a a o ment Truxillo , comm nded Sol n s , in bedience to accept the office of Gu a rdia n .

we a a o ur a As lre dy know , S int could not refuse ‘ w wa s a n d a c here obedience concerned, , therefore ,

e t d a a s c p e the Gu rdi n hip at Truxillo . The next ye a r he was tra n sferred to the Convent o f Santa

a a a a M ri de los Angelos , ne r Lim , having been a p pointed to the same office by the genera l ch a pter held there . Although his tears a n d entre a ties

a c a proved his great repugn nce , whi h prev iled so fa r over his love o f obedience that he handed in his 78 AN SOL US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

resign a tion eleven times during the next four t mon hs ; the last time it was accepted . He then most humbly knelt down before th e C o m

a miss ry and community , acknowledging his utter

a a n in bility to hold y office , most earnestly begging to be allowed to ta ke the l a st place a s being the

n e a Al l only o for which he w s fitted. were deeply

a u a touched by this gre t h mility , even the Commiss ry did violence to his o wn feelings in gi vm g So la n u s a severe reprima nd for what he called his repe a ted s a obstinacy , aying he should receive wh t he desired

and what was justly his due , that is , be deposed from f o fice .

a n o o f a a c u On he ri g this , the j y Sol n s o ld not be

ra a n a r rest ined , he g ve vent to it by sheddi g te s , ’ kissing his Superior s hand and d a nci n g like a c hild

wh o . has received some new toys Here , indeed . a s a was true humility , such Thomas Kempis des “ cribe s when he says : He that seeketh a nything

a n d a a o f else but simply God the s lv tion his soul , t will find nothing but trouble and sorrow . Nei her r t can he remain long in peace , who does not st ive o

. I . . 1 7 be the least and subject to all . (Bk , ch His Superior no longer urged o u r S a int to accept a n ffi a i a n d a t to y o ce , le v ng him in peace liberty

a a fo llowhis o wn inclin tions . They well knew th t “ ” a s fo r he w a chosen vessel , destined by God some extra ordina ry work . We will now follow him in his labors among the inha bita nts o f Lima a n d the neighboring cities .

Being released from officia l duties , he could freely LAN 79 SO US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS .

h a a r o n devote his time to t e s lv tion of souls , u ged by his gre a t love for Go d ; ’ a s m 1 1 a t It w his custo to rise at o clock night , and spend a n hour i n the church prep a ri n g for the

Oflfice Fe lIo - Divine , which he recited with his v relig

a t a th e f ious midnight , ccording to rule o the Order a a and a s he had a lre a dy done in Sp in . This w s ' followed by medita tion ; but when the other B el g

u r o ur a a I n io s retired to est , S int would still rem in the church continuing his medita tions upon the mys

e rie s e n t of our holy R ligio n , frequently interrupti g

v n a a f o r S a s them by fer e t ej cul tions o love orrow , his Confessor h a s frequently w a tched him unoh serve d . The po rter had Often found him there a t ’ ta four o c lock i n the morning in a sta te of ecs sy . At the e n d o f Prime he would scourge himself severely a nd then prep a re fo r the celebra tion o f Holy M a ss .

u a h e a s a D ring the Divine S crifice , w lmost con s b fire o f w a s umed y the holy love , his face glo ing r n sfi if t a gure d . People flocked in crowds to the lit tle church of S a nta Maria de los Angelos to be

o ur a o fi ci a present when S int te d . All considere i

a t a n a it an honor to serve his M ss , but fi lly yielded a n to the e r est desires of his Excellency , the Viceroy o f n o f a s wh o a Peru , Cou t Ludovicus Vel co, c me a e a frequently to this church for th t purpose , his t rs often flowing freely as he witnessed the seraphic co untenance of o u r S a int . Love for Go d consta ntly

a f Incre sed in his soul , the blessed name o Jesus

n a soundi g like sweet music in his ears . A physici n o n e a th d y called at e Monastery , to converse with 8 0 LANUS SO . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

l u So a n s . o d Reference being made to the love of G , he imm edia tely bec a me so enra ptured wi th the

a a ll - thought , that , fe ring he should lose self control ,

a t n o ce left the room . The doctor could not under sta nd the ca use o f this stra nge and even impolite

conduct . The religious present were not in the a i twa sn o u n u sual le st surprised , saying occurrence ,

a t a a n a the s me time rel ti g a simil r instance . 0 0 the Fe a st of the Visita tion So la n u s h a d gi ven a co n P o o r C la re s ' ference to the , choosing as his Si e ct “ ” Ma n ifica t. a The g As he was about to expl in , “ th e : An d a words my spirit h th rejoiced in God ,

a u . 4 7 w a s t my S vior , (L ke I ) he obliged o pause f n through the excess o his feeli gs . Then ra ising his eyes towa rds He a ven he uttered wonderful

n a n o f w t a thi gs reg rdi g the Mother God , sho ing h t

l i s h e mu st h a ve been tru y n pired . Then h a ving “ ” a M a e wa s twice repe ted \ y spirit h th r joiced , he n a a a a r a pt in a ecstasy , which l sted qu rter of n

wa s t hour . When it was over he so covered wi h ' f the o f a h a d con usion at thought wh t just occurred , th a t having reverently adored the most Blessed

a a a a n S a cr ment , he h stened aw y without s yi g a n

r o ther word . The B others expected to find hi m

a a n d t a a a pr ying , af er se rching in v rious pl ces , he

wa a n s seen in the g rden , embraci g a crucifix , his counten a nce i n fla med like that o f a Saint having just left his He a venly home . We trust the re a der will pardon a slight digre s ’ “ sion and a llow us to quote from Prescott s Con ”

f V l . . a quest o Peru , ( o p where the f mous

F LAN O . S LIFE ST FRANCIS SO U .

He comm enced h is discourse by quoting from the “ o f . . 1 6 All a first Epistle St John , ii , th t is in the world is the concupiscence o f the flesh and the co n ” u i sce n ce f c p of the eyes and the pride o life . He

‘ decla red this assertion o f th e Apo stle to be lite ra llv ' o f Li m a true of the city , for it was buried in sins and

a a vices . H ving most forcibly and gr phica lly des cribe d o f th e a the wickedness people In loud voice , he uttered a ga inst them the fearful thre a ts and f judgments o the Almighty , from whom they had re a o f ce ive d the full me sure grace and mercy , a n d

a unless they would immediately do pen nce , all th e a r r n t s u n a u rta n r th e a s te r n w me mo h h g like c i ove v lley , hel i g i t fr m th e ra s o f a tr i a su n a n d m r t d st-H n o y op c l , i pe cep ibly i i g a fr n m s tu r t a t t th e i n th e ri s r s i i h cl d l g ht t r u r . e e h g o e o he fie d b “ e ve d e T h e n a m e bestowed o n th e i n fa n t Ca p ita l wa s Ciu d a d de l o s ” ‘ ” R e s o r T h e L t o f th e K i n s i n n r o f th e d a i e ey , i y g , ho o y , t b ’ i n th e 6 h o f Ja n u a r 1535 th e F st a o f th e a n n g y , , e iv l Epiph y , whe i t wa s sa i to h a v n fo u n d o r r e ro a l w n its d e bee ed , mo p b b y he site wa s determi n ed as i ts a ctu a l fou n d a tio n see m s to h a ve been te n m a s a s a t r . B u t th e C a sti l ta n n a to u s ve n d y l e e ce ed be ed , e wi thin th e firs t e n e r i tto n a n d wa s s u a n t b t a t o f L a n t g , ppl ed y h im , i o which th e o rig in a l In di a n n a me of R im a c wa s corru p ted by th e i wa s a o u i n r l n a n s . s t t a r u a r l a n I di Th ci y l id ve y eg p . The s r ts w r to u w r t a t u su a i n S an i s to ns a n d t ee e e be m ch ide h l p h w , rf c t s tra t ro ssi n o n e a n t r a t r t a n s an d so pe e ly igh , c g o he igh gle , fa r a su n der a s to a fford sp a ce for gar den s to th e dwell in gs an d for

ub s ua r s . I t wa s a rra n i n tr a n u a r r a n th e p lic q e ged i g l fo m , h vi g r c r i e r fo r i ts a s , th e wa t s wh i w r to ca rrie d y v b e e of h e e be ' b a n s o f s tu n n u ts t r u a ll th e r n i a s tre ts a flo rd me co d c , h o gh p i c p l e , a i s fo r I rr a t n th e r u n s a r u n th e u s N i n g f cilit e ig i g g o d o d ho es . o soon er h a d th e g overn or decided o n th e s i te a n d o n th e pl a n of th e city tha n he comm en ce d opera tion s w1 th ch a ra cteri stic en ergy . ‘ The I n d a n s were collected from a di sta n ce of m o re th a n a bu n

r s to a id i n th e w r . a n a r s a t s s d ed mile , o k The Sp i d pplied hem elve h th e r r with vigor to t e ta sk u n der eye o f thei chief . The swo d wa s h a e s exch a n g ed fo r th e tool o f t e rtisa n . T h ca mp wa con ve rted i n to a hive of diligen t l aborers ; a n d th e s ou n ds of wa r were su c e d e d th e a e u h u m a u s u a t n ce by e p c f l of b y pop l io . P a z a w i wa s t n s wa s to su rr un th e The l , h ch ex e ive , be o ded by C a t ra th e a l a o f th e Vi r t a t o f th e u n a t hed l , p ce ce oy , h m ici p li y , a n d th r pu lic u il i n s ; a n d t e i r u n a ti n s w r l a i o n a o e b b d g h fo d o “ e e d a a n d h s i t e th e a ssa u ( f t m a n d i n sc le t a olid y which d fied lt i i e . 8 e n sta n s th e r f rm a l s o f a rt u a s t a t m i ce , mo e o id b e hock e hq ke , h i r n t r e l i i d rt n s o f th e a i n s a t d ffe e pe iod s h a v po io f i r C a p ta l i n rui . ’ (Pres o tt s C n q u st P ru , l , . c o e of e vo p f OLAN 8 3 S US. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

t Should misera bly perish . He then concluded wi h these words : “ th e Your bodies are temples of Holy Ghost , but you h ave deg ra ded them by your sins . Then with “ a a : the fervor of prophet , he excl imed Open them ; Open your houses a n d your temples to con ” is e n ce a n d i cup c , I foretell your perdition All were deeply a ffected by these words ; a fe eling o f

a th e a . m h o w sa dness perv ded whole ssembly So e , ’ a n o f o ur a eve r , misunderstood the me ni g S int s

n warning , and thought he predicted the destructio o f their houses a n d temples . As e a rthqu a kes h a d

a te e a t often thre n d the overthrow of Lim , hey firmly

a l a a a t believed this c mity w ited hem . Hence the terrified people immedia tely ra n through the “ a e ! la u s streets excl iming Lima will p rish So n ,

a h a s a . l the Holy F ther , nnounced it The who e city

a n a a o n e wa s soon in upro r , e ch striking his bre a st “ a n : ! and s yi g Oh , Lord be merciful unto me a sin ” I ll- o tto n r ner . g goods were restored ; enemies e ile d ur w co n c , the ch ches cro ded with penitents seek ing the Confession a ls in expectation of the predic tiOn soon to be fulfilled . The excitement incre a sed to

Vice ro C a s a r d e a t R e such a degree that the y , p M n e y ,

a : 1 a convened the roy l council , n c lled for the arch bishop T o rribiu s I lde fo n s Mo n gro vio (who wa s ' a fte rwa rds ca n o n iz e d by Innocent XII . ) This prudent prela te immedi a tely sent fo r the Commiss a ry Genera l of the Francisca n Convent of

a . St . Fr ncis de Jesu The C ommis sa ry knewnoth ing more than could be learned from general reports LAN S 8 4 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO U .

floating through the city . However he despatched

a a t a a a a lo s a policem n once to S nt M ri de Angelos ,

n l a h T h summo n i g So n u s before t e royal council . e porter h a sten e d to the church where the brothers

a a n L were reciti n g M tins d a n ds . Being much

a d wa excited , he s i something in a confused y about the viceroy a n d a rchbishop ; a lso th a t the policem a n wa s w a iting to ta ke Sola na s before these dignita ries .

o f t All were , course , terrified and as onished , not

n a a fo r a knowi g wh t it could me n , fearing both Sol

a n d . a nus themselves The former , however , rem ined

a n d b c a lm unmoved , kneeling efore one of the fathers t n a n o receive his blessi g . A brother , in p ssi g, told “ n o t to o ur a e him fear , to whom S int repli d Know ,

a a brother John , th t I have pre ched at the command o f a t al a God On arriving the roy p lace , the Commiss a ry Genera l reques ted him to repeat the discourse he h a d delivered to the people at the

u n a a Plaza , rgi g him to fear nothing wh tever . Sol “ nus replied He who trusts in God alone h a s no

a s fo r a u c u e fe r . He then turned towa rds the a gu st a a ssembly aw iting him , which consisted o f the

a n Archbishop , Viceroy d other dignit a ries o f both ta a n d h church and s te , spoke to them with t e same fire a n d n w , zeal unctio as hen he a ddressed the

. T h e ff wa s a a a ll people e ect lso equally gre t , were so much a ffected th a t even the prela tes a n d high ffi . a n o cials proved their sorrow by sobs d tears , im a i n in a a o f a g g th t the d ys Lim were n umbered , and i t n a f would soon be o ly heap o ruins . When the

d r Viceroy had somewhat recovere f om his fear , he A 8 5 . OL N LIFE OF ST FRANCIS S US. ventured to ask if ‘ it was really true th a t this very

a i n th e u night Lim would be destroyed , bury g j st a n d the unjust alike in one common gra ve . Sol a — nus now discovered the mista ke fortuna te though

a s— a a it w th t had been m de , and told the people he did not intend to predict a n a ctu a l destruction of a h a d a n the city , but th t he been sent by God to nounce the mora l perdition o f the people if they did

n o t repent , but this sentence was now averted by

a the public penance of the inh bitants . At this decl a ra tion the whole assembly drew a

h a d sigh of relief, as if they just escaped a terrible

a n d a accident , the Viceroy excl imed Here , no

th e a o f n doubt , is h nd the Almighty provi g the

f a n sanctity o His Apostle . He desired Fr cis to give this explanation in writing a n d afli x

T a his sign a ture thereto . o the s me document was added the royal s ea l o f the Viceroy with these “ remarka ble words Let us n o t continue longer in

wickedness . This is indeed the work of God a n d

a n a u se f an inspir tio of the Holy Ghost , who m de o , a to a a n this me ns soften the obdur te he rts of si ners , ” a n d confirm them anew in Divine gra ce . Copies o f d a this ecl ration were posted all over the city , and thus c a lmed the excitement th a t h a d reigned

a a a n everywhere . The inh bit nts of Lim co tinued

a their exercises of pen nce , knowing too well th a t otherwi se the prediction o f Sol a na s would be ful filled ; in fact our S a int was like a second Jonas to

o f . the city Lima Hence , to him might well be a p “ plied the words o f Holy Writ Now the word o f 8 6 R A . SOL N LIFE OF ST F ANCIS US.

a a Am a th the Lord c me to Jon s , son of a , saying

r s a n d n a A i e , go to Ni ive , the gre t city , and preach th e e in it , for wick dness thereof is come u p before ” “ a . I . 1 A . a n d 2 . me (Ch p , n d the word Of the

o zi a a : Lord came to J s the second time , s ying Arise a n d a a go to Ninive , the gre t city , and pre ch in it — the pre a chin g th a t I bid the e And Jon a s bega n to — ‘ enter the city a n d cried a n d s aid Yet forty d ays a n d a Ninive sh ll be destroyed . And the men of a n d Ninive believed in God , they procl a imed a fa st a n d a a a put on s ckcloth , from the gre test to the le st . And God sa w their works th a t they were turned

o a a n d h a d fr m their evil w ys , God mercy with re gard to the evil which He had s a id that He would

a n d . a do to them He did it not (Jon s II . ) The city of Truxillo did n o t sh a re the happy fa te

a a s a a a n o f Lim , the people f iled to t ke w rni g from

n 1 the counsels a n d thre a te n m gs of So la u s . In 603 he wept while pi c a ching to the people from the pul pit o f the Convent Church . He urged them to do

a n d a a e a pen a nce be prep red for the f t aw iting them , as the whole city would be destroyed by an e a rth qu a ke o n a ccount o f its wickedness ; addin g that the pulpit from which he then preached would alone

a n a a s rema in st ndi g mid the ruins , a witness to this

o ru xillo i n cre d prediction . But the people f T were

l a u a e u c us , l ghed at the ssertion and continu d their

sinful life . Dida cus However two pious persons , Sanchez

Wi a a a h a i t and his fe , M ri Orteg , aving more f th , lef

the city and removed to Lima . But after the death N S LANUS 8 7 R O . LIFE OF ST . F A CIS o f our S a int they were pursu a de d to return to T ru x

“ o f i n h a b illo , where they perished with the rest the 14 h 1 6 18 a n i ta n ts on the t of February , when earth ’ qu a ke buried the entire city without a moment s wa rning . ld a t a An o l dy is repor ed to have been s ved , hav ing ta ken shelter u nder th e very pulpit mentioned

a o f a l above , which even the f lling the he vy cei ing i f did not overthrow . Thus the pred ction o So la n u s wa s fulfilled to the very letter . It now became evident that o ur S a int was not a n

a a i ordin ry pre cher of the word of God , but an h o f spired Apostle Jesus Christ , who said to his dis “ ciple s when sending them to preach : It is not you

a a th t spe k , but the Spirit of your F a ther that spe a k '

a . 2 i n x . 0 . eth you (M tt , Hence we find him everywhere exercising this di vine functi o n . He even went to the market pl a ces where crowds o f people h a d asse mbled e a gerly seek i n a c f g to accumul te the ri hes o this world . With a voice that echoed through the busy streets , he would “ ' o u t: ff cry Love God ; do not o end Him , for He ” h a s died for us o n the cross . Then most tenderly “ a ! h kissing his crucifix , he would excl im Oh w o m could not love Thee , y God , who art indeed so w 1” orthy of our love Then he would go elsewhere ,

a a th e still pre ching pen nce to people .

a r a m On one occ sion , B other Ju n Gomez a cco p a n a i o d him to Lim . They came to the m a gnifice nt ’ a a i . e . a Pl z de los Mercadores , Merchants Exch nge . Francis soon perceiving that th e devil was the 8 8 I LAN S L FE OF ST FRANCIS SO U .

o f l chief director the business , was overwhe med

a n a n a with grief d s d ess . T king his crucifix and

a a a looking earnestly for moment , he excl imed in “ voice th a t filled the people with terror 0 ye

n f wh o sinners , I beseech you , do o t o fend our Lord sacrificed Himself for you ; He entre a ts yo u not to cr ucify Him a new by your sins Ha ving uttered these words he p a ssed through the streets so quick ly that Brother Ju a n Gomez h a d to ta ke hold of the ’ a to S int s cord keep pace with him . It frequently

a a t happened that his comp nion w s lef behind , so

a a a e a r pidly did our S int w lk , urged by his gr t love

a for God . On several occasions he w s seen to be ra ised from the ground and c a rri ed through the a ir

a n i b by divine power . These mir cles are well a en tic ate d a n d to reject the m would be to deny all h u man testimony . He re then we have the key to th e m a rvelous effect o f o f o la n u s v iz the sermons the saintly S , the holi n ess of his life a n d the mira cles th a t he wrou ght

. wa s a a to a everywhere He alw ys prep red pre ch ,

a not being limited to time o r pl a ce . In imit tion of C h rist hi s a a n d . a o f Jesus , divine M ster , St Fr ncis

a Assissi , his beloved F ther , his pulpit could be erected anywhere . If he found only a fe w people

a a assemble d in the church , he would pre ch for short t a a ime words of f ith and encour gement . On o n e occasion he entered a saloon a n d addressed the pe o

ple he found there , reminding them o f the thirst o u r Lord s uffered when dying on the cross for love o f

, t . a hem At nother time he went to the theatre ,

9 0 AN . SOL LIFE OF ST FRANCIS US.

r w c owded ith suppliants begging for mercy . The Friars knelt before th e altar a n d ch a nted the Mise

. a a rere Soon a low , he vy d e rd , win

sla sh e d a r dows , th e found tions chu ch were

a a a ca n de l sticks a a sh ken , the lt r seemed re dy to f ll ,

ra n a n d the whole assembly to the doors . At this

So l a n u s a a n d a a fe w moment , rose having s id words ,

a s t a a a n d order w res ored ; he then beg n to pre ch , a n d a th e with such force fervor , th t not only people ,

but the Reli gio u s wept bitterly . Their fe a r h a d been a wa s a roused by the earthqu ke , but increased still

a S la n u more by the e rnest and powerful words of o s .

He added , however , that at present they had no

cause for fear . o r The success of a sermon instruction , no doubt ,

a o n a s lf depends , to great extent , the pre cher him e ,

yet by no me a ns entirely . The grace o f God is the

chief and essential aid in this work . We have seen that the inhabitants o f Lima heede d the wa rnings given and did penance fo r their sins ’ while those of Truxillo turned a deaf ear a n d sufle r n e d th e terrible pen a lty for their disobedie ce . “ a u a a a St . P l s ys I h ve pl nted Apollo watered , ”

a . . 3 . but God ga ve the incre se (I . Cor , to

f a ll- a The blessing o God , so important , is parti lly obta ined by the devout and holy life o f the preacher

a n d by his fervent prayers , which he should never fo r wh o fa il to offer most earnestly his hearers , should also co Opcra te faithfully with ‘ him in this a blessed work . In order then to dr w profit from t d a e the instruc ions given , they shoul listen ttentiv ly SOLANUS 9 1 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS .

a a . to wh a t is s id , r ther than to how it is said They should receive with humility th e reproofs given for their tepid a n d wicked conduct ; a pply the i n t a instructions o themselves r ther than to others , and

afterwards regul a te their lives accordingly . “ a to h ea But a s m ny neglect do this , being rers

a do ers o f rather th n the Word , we should not be surprised th a t so many sermons and instructions do ff not produce the desired e ect .

I CHAPTER X .

D ea th o S f o la n us.

Ma 1 6 10 o ur a In y, S int began to suffer severely

o f a m from a complication dise ses , which co pelled him at l a st to keep his bed . B ut as his bodily a o f strength f iled , the powers his soul seemed to gain new strength and vigor . A crucifix was plac ed at the foot o f his bed to w a hich he frequently turned his eyes , th nking his He a venly Father for the privilege o f being permitted to suffer for his sins a n d thus deemed worthy of

ff n o f a sh a ring in the su eri gs our Redeemer . He lso return ed tha nks to his Lord and Ma ster for thus o n t aking revenge his body . The interior emotions o f his gra teful he a rt were sometimes so intense as

a o f a to bre k forth in exclamations holy gl dness . It seemed as if he saw o ur Lord bodily present in his 9 2 LAN S LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SO U .

tt a e n ite a do re li le cell , when he would excl im V ” “ a m us e tp ro cida m u s a n te D mn . Come let us adore ” a o . P s . m a and f ll down bef re God ( We y ,

a a wa s a t therefore , believe th t our S int f vored wi h

a a a m a ny visions during his illne ss . It bec me gr du lly

a a n i a so serious th t the tte ding physic ns , Peter Rodriguez Tora s a n d M a rtin S a nchez thought it

a a a a a a n s a dvis ble to h ve the l st S cr ments dmi i tered . “ When So la n u s was told of this he replied : There is

a m a s a still tim e enough , for I not so ill th t , yet I a a d t m only too gl to receive so loving a gues . The reception of the S a cra ments seemed to imp a rt

a so a a new vigor to the inv lid , th t F ther John Venido thought he migh t perha ps be able to ga in the Por

u 2 n ti n u cul a Indulgence o n A gust d . H a vin g over “ : N t he a rd this last remark , he said o tha t o n e ; ’ m a a o n . however , I trust I y g in it St Bonaventure s m a 1 4 th . Fe st , July From this re ark , as well a s

a da others which he m de , it is evident the y o f hi s to death had been m a de known him .

a a a A few d ys before his de th , m ny birds o f most be a utiful plum a ge a ppe a red at th e windowof his

n room , si ging melodious airs never before heard in Sp a in or Sou th America ; their music even co n tinn ed during the night ; nothing seemed to disturb o r frighten them a w a y ; were the angels o f conso la tion sent to Che e r our S a int in his l a st moments !

da - r é On the third y before his death , a Fellow e ligi a to a a s a ous c me rr nge his bed , o th t it would be _ “ ” a . a ! a e th e more comfort ble Wh t excl im d Sa in t , “ n n th e My Jesus is ha gi g on cross , and sh a ll I be

LAN 9 4 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO US.

a m a counten nce ; he see ed , indeed , to h ve a certa in f fore taste o the glory a waiting him . A brother s a id to “ o u r S a int When the He a venly F a ther sha ll ha ve

t a ken thee , remember To which he replied “ . a u Indeed , I will I go to he ven thro gh the merits

uff a n d d a o f s a of the s erings e th Jesus Chri t , lthough

a f I am the gre test o sinners . When I enter my true ” a n d home , I will remember thee be thy true friend .

o f . The Feast St Bonaventure dawned , the fever

a . a seemed suddenly to ab te His expector tions , n e which had u til then been very naus ous , now .

a n d a a . ba n ds wh became sweet gree ble His , ich

a s a n d n before were almost dry hard as wood , o w

a a a a assumed a natur l ppe r nce , becoming very soft l a a n d flexib e . From this ch nge the Religious bega n ’ o f a a to have a little hope the s intly F ther s recovery . f Some o them , however , commenced the prayers for “ the dying , and when they pronounced the Glory be

‘ ” a to Ho l Gho st to the F ther and to the Son and the y ,

a t a St . Fr ncis Opened his eyes and ut ered his f vorite ” lo r cetur D e n a exclama tion G éfi . God be ” a praised . The psalms h ving been recited , the

d a t wi n Brothers s a id the Cre o , while the birds the dows a ccompanied them wi th their S i n gin g . When “ they h a d said Et i n ca rn a tus e std e Sp iritu Sa n cto ea: M a ria Vi rgin a Who was conceiv ed o f the ” o f a Holy Ghost , born the Virgin M ry , the Elevation h bell rang , w ich announced the Consecration at the a t Mass celebrated in honor o f St . Bonaventure ;

d u that s a cred moment St . Francis yielde up his so l th e to God who gave it . His eyes rested upon S LAN 9 5 O U . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS S

a th e o f a cruc ifix , his rms were extended in form “ w a a : Glo ri cross , hile he uttered his f vorite pr yer fic etu r D e u s

f 6 1 1 1 a . m . l He expired at the age o , at , Ju y 1 14 th , 1 6 0 . Let us learn from this great Saint how to die tre ll !

CHAPTER XII .

h n i o F is Occu rre nces at the D e a t a d B ur a l f St. ra n c

So la n a s .

When the soul o f St Fra ncis So la n u s h a d left i ts “ a a a e a s e rthly t bern cle , his body was cloth d he

a Old a n d r a t had desired in very wo n h bi , for his

- o a to o u t a u Fellowreligi us ende vored carry , ltho gh t re s e t l in his p p unwilling y , the last wishes of their a t dece a sed F her . In the afternoon his rema in s were c a rried to the ora tory o f the Infirm a ry a n d a o n a hi h a a w ch d . pl ced bier , , been prep red His

a a a a a pe ceful , r di nt counten nce , e ven in de th , a a filled the beholder with dmir tion . There seeme d something supern a tura l in the c a lm expression o f his fa ce . His eyes which before had been closed ' a o i a n o w O to the v nities e rth , were pened wide , a n d

n so a a n d a a His body , duri g life fr il em ci ted , n o w b a - ec me well developed ; the flesh , hitherto dry and h e a a o f a ard , esp ci lly th t the feet and h nds , was AN S 9 6 N SOL U . LIFE OF ST . FRA CIS

t a Of te r de r a n d s mooth ; the limbs , ins e d being cold

a a n d a a a n d rigid , be c me flexible retained their n tur l

a a a degree of he t . Fin lly , the room itself sh red in a these m a rvels , being filled with a most greeable

Odor .

- wa s Seven teen hours after his death , a lay brother tempted to procure some relics of the S a int and tried to cut a lock o f h a ir a n d a n a il from his toe . But o ut he wa s unfortun a te a n d e a ch time the skin , but it only served to m ake k n own the wonders of Go d

‘ a th e blo o d a n d wa for , from e ch incision oozed red rm to the gre a t a stonishment o f the two physici a ns who

were present . f r The Viceroy o Peru , Count de Monte Cla o , ’ a a to he a ring of the S a int s de th , sent immedi tely the

n a r Gu a rdi a n o f the Convent , requesti g him to

' ra nge the funera l services a t such a time tha t he

h a d a wa could be present . He l ys been a great f n a n d a n a h is rie d protector of Sol s , therefore request

a a wa s re dily gr nted . The report o f his de a th h a d h a rdly passed beyond

a w l a s th e Convent w lls , when the ho e city w in com

“ m a s w m otion , stirred it ere , fro the very center to

th e fa . o ld a a n rthest limits Young and , n tives d

a e a n d foreigners , h st ned to the Convent requested to a a see the rem ins of their beloved F ther , to kiss his h a nds a n d feet a n d ca rry home some precious

a a n d o f relic . Locks of h ir pieces his h a bit were “ cut o il w a , some ould touch his vener ble body with their be a ds or clothin g ; the s a me ple a s a nt odor wa s

a still diffused a ll a round . Tow rds evening it became

98 OLANU . S S LIFE OF ST FRANCIS .

cle r ca m e a o f gy, to p y his tribute respect to Sola

a f l nus The viceroy , f ith u to his promise , met them

a in the Francisc n C onvent , and most respectfully

o f o n kissed the feet the Saint , c nsideri g himself

a a unworthy to kiss his h nds . He asked s a favor to ta ke the mattress o n which the S a int was then f placed , which was cheer ully granted .

At m a the commence ent of the funer l services , the Archbishop himself a n d the Viceroy ca rried the pre

n a cio s rem ins from the Convent to the Church , one t o f at the foot and the o her at the head the hearse , while the Superiors o f the different re ligio n s Orders helped to bea r it as they wa lked o n the Opposite

a sides . Although the Church was very sp cious ,

h aving three aisles, ye t the con c ourse o f pe ople ai s a it a s a ready as embled was so gre t , that w lmo st

to a a so impossible m ke room for c rrying the bier , tha t the body - gu a rd o f the Viceroy went in a dva nce a a n d a lmost forced a pass a ge . The s cred rema ins were pl a ced o n a catafa lque in the center o f the

a a . f th e Church , before the high lt r The music rom

a t a to a t a C a thedral choir once beg n pe l for h , h ving

' a o fle i e d their services for the solemn occ sion .

n a f a Fa ther Joh a nes Venido , Commiss ry o the Fr n

a . cis e a u Province , celebrated the Requiem M ss A full choir of Religious from the different Communities o f the city s a ng the pl a in but solemn ch a nt ae com p a n ie d by in struments Of the Orchestra . a a a The Mass being ended , F ther Joh nnes Sebasti

o f o f nus , Provincial the Society Jesus , delivered a the funeral oration , depicting in graphic langu ge LAN 9 9 . S LIFE OF ST FRANCIS O US.

t a the wonderful deeds and heroic vir ues , the m ny

a n a Sa mira cles d glorious de th , of the int . When

wa s a the services ended , the precious body pl ced in

co fli n a a n a a a wooden and deposited bene th the m i lt r ,

f u which was the common cemetery o the Religio s .

XI I I CHAPTER .

ir s rou ht a t th e D ea th a n d B i M a cle W g ur a l of St. Fra n ci s o la n a s S .

Many mira cles were wrought through the in te rce s

f . a th is ia a fe f sion o St Francis bur l , w o which we will note here . Fa ther Johannes So da n u s and Ludovicus P a ch e ko suffered from such severe head a che tha t they fe a red

u serious consequences . The former f ll of confidence

a a o f o ur a a pl ced the h nd S int upon his he d , when

a a a the p a ins Inst ntly ce sed . The l tter found relief from the application o f a piece o f cloth used by the

S a int . a Es u ibil e The son Of Joh nnes de q , a boy of sev n

h a d a a a . t years , m lign nt fever At the very momen

a bo a e when St . Fr ncis expired , the y excl im d “ a So l a n u s a n d a Ta ke me to F ther I sh ll be cured .

They did so , and the boy reverently kissing the

a th e a in t h nds and feet of S , went home in perfect

a he lth . The miracles wrought did not alone relate to 1 00 A SOLAN S LIFE OF ST FR NCIS U . bodily in firmitie s those afflicted with spiritual

a a a m aladies were lso cured by me ns of the S int . At this time there lived in Lim a a man addicted

a a to vice and wickedness . Thirty ye rs p ssed , dur a f a ing which he h d been the slave o his p ssions .

u s wa s i r a s When So l a n bur ed , this g eat sinner w a a mong the persons ssembled . in the Church . As “ h e a to : I f he entered the sacred edifice , s id himself t r this m a n is a sain , he will f ee me from my wicked h a bits a n d inclinations a t the same time re co m

o f a mending himself to the intercession the S int , a n d even kissed his feet . Suddenly his heart was ‘ v w u mo ed ith contrition , he at once sought the Go fes

u a a e d sio al , and as true penitent , reve l to the good fa th e r 1h } sa d st a te o f his soul by a sincere co n fe s sion which was followed by a good life .

a i n n n to n A l dy Lima belo gi g the obility , for ’ twelve ye a rs indulged feelin gs o fh atred towa rds a

h h a d o T h man w o reduced her to p verty . e advice a n d remonstra nces o f the priests h a d fa iled to ch a nge a a o f m her sentiments even fter the de th the a n . Go d However , inspired , no doubt , by , she went with the m ultitude to p a y her tribute o f venera tion to the

sa S a int . On approaching the bier , she id to herself “ a a How d re I , being guilty of so m ny sins , attempt ” to touch the feet of a S a int ! From this moment commenced her complete conversion . She begged o bta m w the Saint to mercy for her , hile she rev

r a a e r - e e n tly kissed his vener ble h nd . H afte r life wa s a a in conformity with this h ppy ch nge .

o la n us v o w n St . S pro ed his p er of worki g miracles

A 2 . L N 1 0 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SO US.

R R A OF T HE AN PO T IT S I T .

The Viceroy of Peru insisted that a correct po r

a o f a a ll tr it the Sint should by means be obtained . This intention he made known to the Gu a rdia n of

th . e Convent , who also desired it The night follow

i n a a a a t a g the buri l , rr ngements were m de so h t a n a rtist could t a ke a true sketch o f the Fa ther whom

a l . a n l mourned At the hour ppoi ted , the body wa s f removed from the vault , and the lid o the coffin o f a ra ised . No sign dec y could be perceived . His m a a outh , eyes , and in f ct his whole countenance p a f p e a re d as o n the d y o buri a l . Fa ther Joha nn es

o f o f . Vasquez , the Order St Dominic , also relates ’ a m t that a sweet odor came from the S int s o n h .

a a When the rtist had obt ined a correct likeness , the

r a body was replaced in its fo mer resting pl ce . R I C HAPTE X V .

Gen era l Op in io n R ega rdin g the Sa n ctity of

So la n u s .

a h n St . Francis w s universally respected and o ored ; all classes of people rega rded him as a most holy man . When a student attending the Jesuit College at

a a Montill , his native city , his comp nions could not

a f il to be Influenced by such an exemplary life , fear ing to utter an unbecoming expression in his pre

a sence . When eng ged in a conversation not likely “ sa to meet his approval , they would y Stop , ” Solana s is coming . After entering the Fra nciscan

‘

to . Order , this veneration for him seemed increase

a l During his noviti te , the o der Fathers were wont to look upon himas the model o f a perfect R e ligi

a ous . They e gerly sought his society and always went aw ay e difie d and encouraged to make still , gre a ter efforts to atta in p erfection . The Superiors of his province appointed him master o f novices , besides entrusting him with

s f . a severa l respon ible o fices He , however , alw ys considered himself as the last o f a ll a n d unworthy m o f any charge ; but the ore he humbled himself , so the more was he respected and honored , that his “ countrymen fina lly called him by n o other [103] 1 04 LAN . O S LIFE OF ST FRANCIS S U .

“ m a th e a i n t a na e th n that of S , n d ever honored

a him s such .

a a ll o f a n To void these marks respect , d that he might h ave a n opportunity to shed his blood for a Christ , he e rnestly begged to be sent to the Afri

a s a can missions but his request w not gr nted . Soon a fter a new a postolic field wa s opened in

r . So la n u s t the New Wo ld renewed his pe itions , i a ab a n w a n d this time rece ved a f vor le s er . With

w- a o f deep regret , his Fello religious took le ve him, a knowing well the tre sure they were losing . During a to a their voy ge Americ , the modesty , humility and

a o f a a u s nctity Sol n s , exerted a powerf l influence a a i over those on bo rd the ship , g in ng the love and

a ll esteem of . This blessed influence was speci a lly

a a manifested at the shipwreck ne r Bon venture . His coura ge a n d unsh a ken confidence in God were the

f a a a r a me a ns o s ving m ny from de th , o prep red them

a . a a e to die in pe ce On th t memor bl Christm a s , which they were to celebra te o n the dre a ry coast o f

a a a ll a South Americ , when hope had fors ken he rts , a o f So la n u s a s a ve th t , he r ised their drooping spirits

a a ll by words of hope and comfort , so th t felt they b a a n d were inde ted to his pr yers fortitude , looking

a a upon him a s their gua rdi n ngel . We m a y understa nd how much he was venerated a o n o twith by the Indi ns , when we c nsider that , sta nding the l a pse of centuries a n d the apostasy o f

a is m a ny in Tucum n , his memory still held in bene

f a - a diction a mong them . A ter rem ining there m ny

a s e years , he w recalled to Lima , when s veral earnest

1 36 SOLAN LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS US.

‘ l e d a t f o n th e n trar wa w t ia n t s s n d m e epid li e , co y , lked i h g ep a a d r Hi i v ra o r ss i n th e s r tu a f . s u t wa s r r a t pid p g e pi i l li e h m li y e y g e , c o n si d rr i n s f a s th e e a st a n d a st o f a l l a n d t r f r g him el l l , , he e o e , d s s n rs a n d n t s n r a t n t m e a n d Obe e pi ed ho o dig i ie , bei g ve y p ie , ek d n t a n d so u r an d a st t a t W r s c a n a r s r th e ie , p e ch e , h o d h dly de c ibe

n w rr t se v. rtu e s pe rfe ctio to hich he ca ied he . l he fire o f t h a ri ty an d broth e rly lov e bu rntwith ever in c rea si n g r r w Oft n ie d h i m to s t th e s n s n th r m h i s a do , hich e vi i ick . co oli g by H n a n d l o n W r s . i s a fo r th e u s a n d h i s ki d vi g o d ze l Ho e of God ,

a rn st s re fo r th e sa a t n o f s u s a st n su e h i m . H s e e de i lv io o l , lmo co m d i s r n s th u n o t ll d o n th e ru l s o f a rt a n d r t ri o r e mo o gh mode e e he o c , a c r in to a r t s cu t n n rt ss a n c o d g pp oved me hod of elo io , eve hele , a u n a n t a r st wa s at r a n s u s n r s u e b d h ve g he ed , m y o l bei g e c d from S t e r s n u wa s . o l a n u s r t r n t a n d r f rr in h i i f l v loved e i eme , p e e ed be g o n x t w n th e r o f G o d r u -re d i t r s H a l e e cep he glo y eq t o he wi e . i s ! u su a u ati n wa s ra e r a n d ta t n o n in e n l occ p o p y medi io div thi gs .

‘ Ma n t s wa s ra t i n sta s be c m i n a s i t we r w y ime he p ec y , g , e , holly n t u s tt n l a v o re d b t e s a bsorbed i n God . Bei g h o e y He a n he p a s ed whole n ights before th e High Al ta r n ea r h is God i n th e Blessed t r w u s n th e s a r n a ra n . a t s a m S c me The e he o ld i g c ed c icle , cco p a n h m s o n th e l n a n d ta te u o n n t n s He n yi g i elf vio i , medi p divi e hi g . ‘ h d so n t r l n s ra t h m s e lf to o ur L r t a t a s sa s a e i e y co ec ed o d , h he w ti ne d with th e p oo rest cl u th i n g a n d ha rdly d a re d e a t en ou gh to s up e e i l o rt h i s fra . tr a t h s a n n o r m o re p il body He d body ike e emy , a s a fr e n d s n e re l e rre d to sa r i t s u r n s truly , , i c he p c ifice by co gi g , r i h t wa t s fa sts a n d t r m o rti fic a tl o n s t a n to r s r i t g che , o he , h p e e ve

r u o o r at a re a n d a . I n sh rt h i s f wa s n t th o gh t g e c delic cy o , li e o h in l ss t a n a r a n d st ru tfu i st n c a n sta n t g e h ve y holy mo f i l ex e e , co , n t l a r r t w t a n o n s a t n s a n d n s r fe rve p ye , eple e i h he ve ly c ol io i pi a t n s io . ‘ d a a fte r h i s a t a s h i s wa s a u t to n s n The y de h , body bo be co ig ed th e t rs n s c f a l l a s a n d n ti n s a t e r fro fa r to omb , pe o ge co di o g h ed m l h a n d n ea r , formin g a n a ssem b y su ch a s n ever before a d been seen n d th e u n th s wh o e r n . a w i n th e whole ki gdom The old yo g , o e e a n d t s wh o w r n o t a w t a l l a st a tth e s e re h idd e n ho e e e , c me i h h e impl h i s a t st Of th e m to ss h i s e ta n d n r h i m a s a port of de h ; mo , ki f e ho o n ff r n t re l i io n s u n t s a s a bu t n o t i n S a i t. The di e e g Comm i ie l o c me ,

r e e i h t a s wa s th e u su a u st bu t i n a s r a t grou ps of si x o g , l c om , g e ss n o t to n r a s th e ra n u r a n d s l a o f n u mb e rs a s po ible , i c e e g de di p y t h i s s u i s bu t to fil l th e a rts o f m u l titu s wit a s ill ob eq e , he de h 1 a s w n t w t th e a n wh o grea ter des ire o f perfection . l o e i h m y n e n t a n d a rr e u st a s t w r ta k th ro n ge d to th e little Co v , iv d j hey e e r w wa s so r a t t e C h u r . i n g th e p reciou s rem a in s o th ch The c o d g e , n t wi t th a t I fou n d i t a lmost im possible to a ppro a ch n e a r e ou gh o s t u o n e o f th e r t ers h is u t n ess th e sol emn service , a l ho gh B o h did LA 10 7 S NU . LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS O S

o s r m u st a n wl t a t l a s r a l m t to open a wa y fo e. I m ck o edge h w g e t y s u r r s a t th e s e n f r m e s e n th e m st n ra r p i ed c e be o e , e i g o ho o ble lo d , J h n M e n a u n t o f Mo n te cl a ru s a n d V e e ro o f t s r a t o de doz , Co y hi g e A bi m a n w t h i s G ra th e r s L . a rt m ae u s ki gdom , i h ce , ch hop of i B holo , ' a rr n h is i r w r f w th e u r rs i n r c yi g b e . They e e ollo ed by S pe io of d e e n tre i u s r rs a n d m a n t rs di s i n u i sh e d fo r t r e a rn lig o O de , y o he g hei l i n a n d s i o n A t o u so u n w rt i t n th e g high po i . l h g h o hy of , Ij oi ed m The words o f th e R oy a l P rophet su dden ly recu rred to my m in d ‘ im ! h o n o ra t au n a mici l u i Deu s n imis co n o rta tu s eat r N : i t, f p i n ci ’ ‘ a ra s e o ru m B u t to m e th fr n s 0 Go d a re a d p . y ie d , , m de excee i n gl y hon ora ble ; their pri n cipa li ty i s exceedin gly stren gthen e d ( Ps 17 ‘ N w t sta n n th e i m m n s t r n o f e O l e we fin a a r ot i h di g e e h o g p p , lly h e u h r a s a c r th e Hi At r rived a t t Lh rc . The bie w pl ed befo e gh l a ; I h a d l e i su re then to refl ect u pon tha thome of blessed So l a n u s W h i C h h s ur a n d s t ss s u h a d u W t th e u t u t tu e i p e po le o l occ pied i h devo m l i d , r v e re n t s s h i s a n s a n d e t t w r n o t r o r I e ly ki ed h d f e ; hey e e igid cold , bu s ft t n e r a n d od ra t l wa r so t a t s to t u t o , e d m e e y m , h I eemed o ch wh l r e o n e o wa s s n n o t t a t o f a a rs n . th body of ep i g , h de d pe o Those h o a t re a r u n th e ie r w r u s n st a s rr w g he d o d b , e e j oyo , i e d of o owfu l . h n o t f t a t n e e ra r bu t ra t r t a t r st T ey did eel h he ded p ye , he h he e ed h i s a rs t r f r t ra s h o i s s o a ra n from l bo , he e o e , hey p i ed God w dmi ble i ’ No u n e a sa n t r u r Hi s a n ts . o r tra e S i p odo co ld be pe ceived , c of n r s n o f a t n o t a u s th e usu a corru ptio . The p e e ce de h did c e l feel in g r a a n d t rr r bu tra t r o S r t um i t of d e d e o , he j y of pi i , h il y of heart an d u n spea k a ble pe a ce . W n th e fu n ra e r n s a n th e V r r he e l c emo ie beg , ice oy o dered tha t th e r u s n h i s sta a r rn a n t w t d ich c hio of te ch i , o me ed i h gol a n d si l v e r s o u a u n r th e a So l a n u s i n a n , h ld be pl ced de he d of , exch ge fo r

‘ ‘ h e r r u o w W wa s r to h i s s a t n f t poo , o gh pi l hich emoved e a d le t r u r n th e r s t s c t t i s ic . a t, i s m to th e V y i , i he e d g e v e Q B h ee ed me ce ro y p roved h i s roya l dign ity more fu lly whil e sitti n g o n th e s tra w w t a n w n u s n h i s ri u s n T h e a tt r pillo , h he i g ch c hio . l e ma de him a a r a s th e a t o f a n a rt r n w h e m ppe leg e e hly p i ce , hile t for er a s a u s r st a n ru e r a n d a tru s r a n t L r st W n pio . Ch i i l e e v of h i . he th e ra rs th e a rifi o f th e M a ss a n d h f n r p ye , Holy S c ce t e u e a l o ra tion w r nd t s t th e r u s re a n s o f So l a e e e ed , hey depo i ed p ecio m i n u s i n th e a re r I t wa s w r w t r a d f l a . t u t a s th e o pl ce p p ed , ho eve , i h g e i fic y , re re ss a r un i n r w s to s e e a n d ss h i s f t a n d ple p ed o d c o d , ki ee , tou ch ‘ ‘ h i s w t t r r sa r s a n d o t s n u tt n body i h hei o ie c h , eve c i g o fi p o rti o n s of t At n th e - u r h e h i s a i . l t y a Of t Vic r y r st re r r h b e g h bod g d e o e o d o de , a n d th e rema in s o f th e ven e ra ble serv an t o f Go d we re pl a ced i n a

a n w n ffi n . T h e n t n t i t wa s ta e n c u t so t pl i oode co ex igh k , h a t a skillful a rtistco u ld ta ke a tru e li ke n ess o f th e S a i n t. This p ain te r t a t So l a n u s se a rs n s n a fu told me , h emed like pe o leepi g pe ce lly a t 1 08 L . IFE OF ST FRANCIS SOLANOS .

th e same time emi tti n g a plea san t odor a s if h is body h a d bee n a r u emb lmed wi th p ecio s Spices . ‘ His s u i s n o w l r w t o ur L r h is i s r s r b o l g o ified i h o d , body p e e ved y h i s F w- r u s w t r a tr s t w h i s r a s w ello eligio i h g e e pec , hile memo y , e ” ru h O e w in r tu a n t n . t ly p , ill be held pe pe l be edic io us fa r Fa t e r D ida cu s Al fa re z P a s th e t J sus Th h de , of Socie y of e .

P X CHA TER V.

Mira cles ro u ht T hro u h the I n tercessi o n o W g g f St. la n us a So fter hi s D ea th .

“ Before giving the process o f Beatification and

f . So l a n us u a Canonization o St , we will en mer te some o f the many miracles wrought through his

intercession .

F D LY I NFI R MJT I E C UR E O BO I S.

u o f A yo ng girl twelve years , named Agnes , ’ afli icte d a had been with epilepsy since her third ye r .

o f n n Me dicines seemed o use . At le gth her fa ther l had recourse to So a n us . He tied a small piece o f ’ a the h a bit o f o ur S a int round his child s n eck . From that day sh e wa s entirely free from her former a t t a cks o f illness . When the parish priest o f the Cathedral at Lima o n fi l was taki n g his dinner the rst Sunday in Ju y , o f wa s 1 649 , a piece meat caught in his throat , and all' efforts o f the best physici a ns fa iled to remove l A it ; there seemed n o chance that he cou d live . t

1 0 . LAN LIFE OF ST FRANCIS SO US.

r 1 639 a In Novembe , , daughter of Anthony Di a s , five a a n ye rs old , met with accident by which o n e

of her eyes was nearly torn from its socket, a n d a he r skull fr ctured . The p a rents hastened to their a t child , but could only t ke o their a rms a lifeless a corpse . H ving given vent to their te a rs a n d

a m a a l ent tions and prepared for the buri l , the ’ mother s eyes chanced to rest u pon a picture of ’ So la n u s a h be , h nging above the c ild s d . She at o n once fell her knees , then full of fa ith a n d con fide n ce o ur asked Lord , through the intercession of la nu s So , to restore her beloved one to life ; she

quickly applied some of the oil , burning before the ’ o f a to a a n im tomb the S int, the child s f ce , d m e di

a wa s a tely the injured eye restored to its socket , n d

a the broken skull completely he led . The child ex “ ” cla imed : Jesus is with me . A blue spot under the

SI n eye was the only g that marked the injury .

I M R ACLES R ELATING TO T HE SOUL.

I n 1 630 a a a , John Francis de V ll dolid s id Mass

. d a n a n in the Ch a pel of the Saint A la y Juli , bei g

a n present , pr yed most earnestly for her husband the

a a c absent o n a journey . At the elev tion of the S

a a m i a to red Host , she he rd ce th t seemed come ” a n a P a . from the S i ts sepulcher , s ying tience She then m a de a firm resolution to be a lways resigned

a to the will o f Go d . Three d ys later she received ’ w o f with gre a t fortitude the ne s her husband s death , and ever a fter rem a ined perfectly resi gned to the ’ dispens a tions of God s provid e nce . Another ex AN 1 1 1 L L US. IFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO a mple will show the g re a t power of So l a n u s : A

u m a n a u a a yo ng , ged abo t twenty ye rs , g ve himself n wa s a t up to a life o f sha meful wicked ess . He ' n n t a o flo rt length sent to the Pe ite i ry . Whe n every

v a a n to e fle cthis conversion pro ed un v ili g , his poor

a a . h a d mother h d recourse to St . Fr ncis She sev

a fl r er l M a sses O e e d a t his tomb . Her confidence o f was rewa rded by the perfect conversion her child , who wa s a fterwa rd s a most dutiful a n d a ffectiona te

a . son , providing for the w nts of his mother and sisters

OTHER MIR ACLES .

So l a n us wa s not unmind ful of the tempora l nec ce ssitie s o f those in trouble . A fire broke out in the woods o f the Gu a mba ch o va lley ; ne a r by were

a e o f a a . l rge fi lds sug r c ne , just ready to be cut The

a a ll fl mes spread in directions , threatening every

w t a thing i h destruction . The p rish priest , with stole a n d a e n holy w ter , tried to quench the raging leme ts ,

u t . a a but witho success In this emergency , C pt in

t va a s n An hony Al redo , who w prese t , remembered ’ a h a la n u s a th t he d two pieces o f St . So h bit ; he

to a a handed them M rtin de Oreg , the priest , who

a a a cast them into the fl mes , which at once b ted and

a were soon extinguished . Four other c ses are o n

m i r record where fire s were quenched in a s1 la manner . XVI C HAPTER .

‘ n a iz i B ea tifica tio n a d C n o n a t o n .

Since many miracles were wrought at the tomb o f a a a s h Francis Sol n s , as well elsewhere , throug his e intercession , those who w re entrusted with prepar

a be a tifica tio n ing the cts of his , were requested by o f ff a a the Archbishop Lima , and his su r g n Bishops , to collect a ll reliable inform a tion concerning his t virtues , deeds , miracles , in shor , his whole life . ’ The years 1 6 10 and 1 2 were spent in these labors .

The acts thus collected , included the testimonies

f a n o three hundred d four witnesses . The gre a test part o f this evidence wa s obta ine d from persons

a holding the highest dignities in Church and St te , as well a s from Religious highly esteemed for their a r piety a n d lea rning . All g ee as to his undoubted s a nctity a n d as being most worthy of veneration fo r

a h the mir cles he a d wrought . These documents

b B e n i n u s a were sent to Rome , and y g Genua ,

a s a Minis ter Gener l of the Franci c n Order , presented

a to the Congreg tion of Rites , by whom they were

' subjected to a most rigid e x a m in a tio n . T A copy o f these p a pers was presented to Philip III . with

Fr m J . r r P r st th e D se P a r rn L o Sch oede , ie of ioce of de bo . ife Fr n s n f S a a a s . o t. ci Sol n re a t n o f R t s wa s sta s a t R tus ! The Co g g io i e e bli hed ome , by Six t r u t e s r u r t e m to r ar th e a ts o f be a tific tio n V . hei d i eq i ed h p ep e c a n n i z an d ca o a tion . [ 112]

1 14 A . SOL N S LIFE OF ST FRANCIS U .

marched fro m the C a thed ra l to the Ha ll o f the a Ch pter .

a In the princip l room , a beautiful picture of St .

a a Sol n s was exposed to view. Before this wa s a l t a a o n a a it le lt r which had been pl ced silver urn ,

a a a Do cont ining the P p l rescripts . Here , n Domi n a a nie s de Almeid , De n of the Chapter , received from the Commiss a ry Genera l of the Fra ncisc a n Order in

th e a Peruvi n Empire , these rescripts which he respec t

a n d t fully kissed , then presen ed to the p a rish priest of the C a thedra l who carried them in procession to

a s n the Dome . While it was p si g through the streets , the bells of the churches pe a led forth th e I r Joyous

a n d um a a anthems , the Te De was ch nted , cco m

p a n ie d by b a nds of music . i a When the process on rrived at the Cathedral , the rescript wa s pla ced o n a n a lta r cove red with

l n a n rich e mbroidery . So em High M ss the com m o n

f f Dida cu s a ce d . Be ore the O fertory , Mor les , a

a r the member of the C thed al chapter , received rolls

u m t m a containing the doc en s sent fro Rome , h nded

a o f a r a him by the de con the C thed al . He scended the “ pulpit a n d read a loud to the people the Pa p a l a n d o f a a Briefs , at the close , the order the P p l Com

i a w n o o f m ss ry , hereby every person , matter what

a r a s m m a a r nk o condition , w co nded to m ke know n

n &c . f whatever he k ewof the life , deeds , miracles , , o

i h Ma . Francis Sol a na s . H g sfi wa s the n continued i c m t Accord ng to Spanish usto s , the af ernoon was spe n t in festivities and ge n era l rej o icings . I n 1630 n n was , Ferdi a d Arias de Ugarte appointed LANU 1 15 SO S. LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS

to the Archiepiscopal See of Lim a . This prelate f a fa ithfully executed the orders o Urb n VIII . The

next ye a r the exa mina tions were closed . Accord ing to Joha nn George de W e rn dle ( a n o ld bio gra phe r of 1 6 76 ) they contained the testimonies of o f eight hundred witnesses , a copy which signed and

a wa s v to a I lde h o n sus f securely se led gi en F ther p , o

o f St. ra the Order F ncis , who was obliged to de

a liver them to the Congreg tion of Rites in Rome .

Ma 1 63 1 m a t a . In y, , he went fro Lim o Sp in

. a n d a t I sa There King Philip IV , his roy l consor ,

a a a bell , with m ny of the nobility , g ve him letters to

‘

. a n l t a Urb a n VIII , entre ti g his Ho iness o c nonize

l s n t So a n us at once , dispen i g wi h the injunction which did not permit inqui ry into the virtues a n d m i racles of o n e wh o h a d died i n the odor of s a nctity ’ to be commenced until fi fty years after the person s de ath . The king promised three thousand ducats to defray the necess a ry expenses . Wha t Father I lde ph o n sus and his successors a o

R m a ~ complished in ome , we y gather from a memo

a s 1 642 a e Ma l n ri l pre ented in to F ther Jos ph do a d , a o f Commiss ry General the West Indies , which “ reads a s follows Fa ther I lde pho n su s a rrived in m 7th 1 63 2 a n d Ro e , Nov , , presented a memorial of

2 1 14 a a p ges , cont ining the life o f the serva nt of

a a a . B u t God , Fr ncis Sol n s as fifty ye a rs h a d not

a o f a a f yet el psed since the death th t serv nt o Go d , Fa ther I lde ph o n su s en dea vored to obtain a disp e n sation . Wise and learned Cardinals were consulted a s to o f r the possibility g anting this request , and a t 1 1 6 A SOLANUS LIFE OF ST FR NCIS .

length concluded to leave the decision o f th e matter

to his Holiness .

a Fa F ther Jerome Serrano , the successor of ther

I lde h o n su s t to a p , ried every possible means obt in

a v a . the desired f or , but received little encour gement

w a a a Ho ever , F ther Bon venture de Salinas , ided

is a n o f a a t by h M jesty , the ki g Sp in , length Obtained a reply from his Holiness to the effect th a t he would — soon rejoice the New World America- s- by c a non l u a o a n s . izing Fr nciscus S Nevertheless , at Rome , it wa s not considered advisable in this c a se to dis pense with the decree o f Pope Urban VIII . There it a 1 660 a i fore , w s not until that the ex m nation for ca nonizing Sol a na s could be resumed . First there wa s question whether public homage h a d n a s at a y time been given him , since this w contrary

h a a t s a t to the C urch c nons . S i f c ory proof to the

n m n 1 66 7 contrary bei g given , Cle e t IX ( then

th e a a permitted ex miners to proceed with the c use , ascertaini n g the correctness of the testimon y alre a dy

a n a a n given reg rdi g the life , s nctity , virtues d mir acles o f the serv a nt o f God . The Congrega tion of

. l oth 1 6 6 7 a a Rites decided Dec , , and h ving pproved th e v testimony gi en , permitted the cause to be con

n . f a a a n d a a h tin ed A ter the usu l del ys ppe ls , t e following document o f Be a tifica tion was published

“ C lem e n t X . i n p erp etu a l m em o ry of the e ven t

“ a Our Divine Leader and M ster , Jesus Christ ,

a t the a a e n wh o sitteth right h nd of the M j sty o high , w o f re ards in heaven , with the crown eternal glory ,

L AN 1 L S. 1 8 IFE OF ST . FRANCIS SO U

r a n d a a s a p esence , h ving he rd the con ultors , greed

t a a t h t any time when it seemed proper to Us , we could with s a fety proceed to c a no n ize this serv a nt

a a t a B le sse of God , but th t present, he be c lled d in

w . a the whole orld We h ve , therefore , willingly

a n d a n w listened to the pious e r est requests , hich

a n h ve been respectfully presented to Us , co cern h n m o ur ing t ese thi gs , fro beloved son in Christ , I a o f two S a n ish K i n d m s Ch rles , king the p g o , from his

a An n a mother , M ry , our beloved d ughter in Christ ,

! a a a a n a widowo f his l te C tholic m jesty , d lso queen a n d Of the two Kingdoms , from the whole Order a alre a dy mentioned . By the dvice , in perfect

a a a we a greement , and in unison with s id C rdin ls , w do permit , in virtue of the Apostolic po ers vested

a a a a a in Us , th t s id servant of God , Fr nciscus Sol n s , be henceforth c a lled B lessed ; tha t his body and his relics be exposed to the venera tion o f the fa ith

a ful , but sh ll , however , not be carried in procession ;

a n d a a n th a t a h a lo sh ll surround his picture , a th t ,

u all o n r da a a n y, the fi st free y fter his blessed de th , the Office a n d M a ss be taken from th a t o f the C o n h fe sso rs w o are not bishops , according to the rules

‘ h e R o m a n r v . o f t B e iary and Missal Furthermore , we permit th a t this Office a n d Mass be com

ra te d a a m e m o in the following pl ces , n mely : in

o f e f the city Montilla , wher the servant o God

wa s the o f a born ; in city Lim , where he died , and where his body rests ; and in the Tucum a n Province where he sowed so plentifully the seeds o f

a n d a ll a Catholic doctrine in fine , by the secul r a s L 1 1 9 IFE OF ST . FRANCIS SOLANOS . we l a s a l a t l regul r c ergy and f i hful of both sexes , wh o a re obliged to recite the c a nonic a l hours ; but still m ore by the brothers a n d sisters o f the

‘ a t Of a n d th e whole s id Order to use his fice , by

a a a priests to celebr te this M ss , especi lly by those priests wh o celebra te in the churches of the

w t a s a id Order . Moreover . i hin a ye r from the

o f a n d issue these letters , in the Indies , from

da a l a a the y of their arriv , we gr nt f culties in

u o f the ch rches of the above mentioned cities ,

r a n d d a the P ovince , the whole Or er ; th t the sol e mn a a o f a G o d Be tific tion this same serv nt of , be a e celebr ted , with the prop r Office , as in the B revi a ry a n d the Holy Mass as a feast o f the

m a u a o n a jor do ble , and this be done , like a d y

“ to be a ppointed by the respective ordina ries

w l n r hich wil be an ounced within thi ty days , yet a fter this y ery solem n ity h a s ta ken pl a ce in the princip a l Church o f the Prince of the Apostles in

r a 3oth o f . o u City , for which we ppoint the next June

‘ ’ a Given in Rome , at St . Mary s M ggiore under

h e n o f a 25th a t ri g the fisherm n , this of J nuary , ”

1 75 t a o f o u r P o n tifica te . 6 , in the fif h ye r

c n d o f n Ac ordi g to the wor s this Brief, his ative

‘ t f t a a s e a ci y o Mon ill , w p rmitted to celebr te the

a . a a l a 18 Fe st of our Saint P p l etters , d ted Dec . ,

1 75 w a 6 , ho ever , extended it to the entire And lu

sian P ro vm ce .

C ANONI! ATION.

h th e be a tifica tio n o f In a person , it is only per m itte d in to honor and invoke him certain countries , 1 20 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS SOLAN OS . a n d o n a cert in conditions . This be a tifica tion is a a gener lly , though not lways , followed by the

a n c noniz a tion . It is never done u less a fter the be a tific a tio n a t a a , le st two mir cles have been per r u o f formed th o gh the intercession the person .

a o f a After the l pse some years , F ther Fra nciscus R o sse lo n h i presented a petition to s Holiness , a Alex nder VIII . , requesting the c a non ization o f

Blessed Fra ncis So l a n u s . It wa s referred to the

Congregation o f Rites . Cardina l Chisi presented a a to 168 8 report rel ting the petition , , sta ting that th e Congrega tion could proceed to m a ke the cus to m a ry objections and examin a tion rega rding th e mira cles wrought through the intercession o f So la n u s

‘ ’ i a i n a a fter his be a t fic t o . Having obt ined the Pope s a o f a permission , the examin tion the cts commenced w a d 1 69 2 hich h been printed in Rome , in . Twenty five mira cles were reported to h a ve been wrought

a in Montill alone , and seven elsewhere f r f We have space o but a few o them .

Ma ry o f Aquilar occupied the s a me room at

n w night with her young d a ughter a d nephe . They were suddenly st a rtled by a loud noise a s if the house

a a wa s falling . It was their custom to h ve a l mp f o f o la n u s to always burning be ore the picture S , him they h a d immedi a te recourse in their dan e r a g , and God he rd their prayers . That portion o f a a n the house in which they slept , lone rem i ed standing ; the res t was crushed into fra gments .

R A 1 2 2 . SOL N S LIFE OF ST F ANCIS U .

cured . In token and confirmation o f this mir

acle she raised her crutches very high , so that all — ’ . a n d could see them These many other miracles ,

w a be a tifica tio n So la n u rought fter the of s , and f through his intercession , stood the test o the most a a a o f rigid ex min tion before the Congreg tion Rites , and were fully ra tified by its members ; n e ve rth e a a wa s less his c noniz tion deferred . The Church is — always very delibera te in such matters mention is

n a f aga i m de of it , in an assembly o the Congrega o f o f X tion Rites , held in presence Clement L, 1 7 1 2 a XL 1 2 in ; ag in under Pope Innocent , 7 3 , who directs tha t the mira cles in question shou ld once more be subjected to a rigid examina 9 th 1 726 P X tion . July , , ope Benedict III . , de

a a o f a cl a re d th t the s nctity Fr ncis , the servant

f . o God , could not be doubted The solemn p ro

ul a tio n o f m g the decree was , however , deferred , while the assistance o f th e Holy Ghost was ln

vo ke d . 14 On July th , three miracles were pronounced

a ll a n d . as beyond doubt , could not be denied

T he a a o f a a 1 . inst nt neous cure Joh nn de Blanca , a seriously a fle cte d by a c ncer . o f o f l 2 . The delivery the city Montil a from pestilence . o f o f 3 . The sudden cure Francisca Victoria pestilence and m a lign a nt fever . f a His holiness , there ore , decl red that it was per a t o n ce fe ctly right and s a fe to proceed I to the

a . 27 1 726 c a noniz a tion of Blessed Fr ncis . On Dec , , SOLAN 1 23 LIFE OF ST . FRANCIS US. the fo llo wm g Apostolic Brief was issued concern ing the ca use in ha nd “ e a o f Benedict , Bishop , S rv nt the Serv ants o f a God , in perpetu l Memory of the Event Since we must honor o ur Lord Jesus Christ in

a l His S ints , we are inclined and favorab y disposed to augment the glory here on e a rth o f the true ser

a a a v nts of God , so th t through their bright ex mples , w a the honor of God be every here incre sed , and the

a m lukew r excited to works of true piety . And since we have received the life a n d vi rtues o f the

va a So la u s blessed ser nt Of God , Fr ncis n , o f the

o f a b a Order of Minors the Regul r O serv nce , who became illustrious th rough the excellence of Chris tia n virtues , as well as through many miracles

b a wrought by him , we elie ve we sh ll do great ser

n u a a vice to the people e tr sted to our p stor l care , by th e a a o f solemnly enrolling him in c t logue confessors ,

a re a c who not Bishops , ccording to the anons Of

a o n da i a the Rom n Church , this y, ded c ted to the f honor o St . John the Evangelist . “ 1 . l oth o f a 1 549 On the M rch , , Francis

l a s a o f So n u , the m rtyr desire , was born I n

a o f An da lh sia Montill , a city , in the diocese o f

a wn th e a Cordova , alre dy reno ed for m ny m a rt y rs u it has given to o r Lord . He wa s a so n of

a n d a noble pious p rents , who conscientiou sly a o f brought him up in the fe r God , and in those virtues tha t adorn the true Christia n . Being him

a m a self fully ni ted with these sentiments , he wa s received a s a member of the Com munity o f Friars 1 24 T L‘AN S . SO LIFE OF FRANCIS US.

o f a Minor the Regular Observ nce . He there be

a e m a h is n c m illustrious for his ny virtues , consta t pr a ctise o f more exact discipline th a n even the a Order required , and for his truly Christi n humility . His d ays a n d nights were p a ssed in works of piety m o rtifi a ti n and the most severe c o , nay , he even

a a imitated the ex mples of those holy F thers , Bene

a u dict and Fr ncis , who threw themselves pon d e sharp thorns , in or er the mor completely to over come their sensuality . While his wonderful life bears repeated witness to these a n d m a ny othe r noble and virtuous qu a li

f a a n ties o mind and he rt , he has also by his pre chi gs i i a n d wh ch were an mated with burning love , other e e a n d minent virtues , convert d many souls to God , thus obta ined the title o f S a int . Among m a n y o a ther inst nces , his great power with God wa s o f manifested in the cure a boy , e ntirely covered with sores , by merely kissing his wounds after re

a m oving the band ges . a a S 2 . Ag in the S int howed his great charity dur Ing th e prevalence o f a m a lignant pestilence that

a a fi icte d ra ged in And lusia . He visited those with

a o f a co m the pl gue , and deprived bodily or spiritu l

-

r a a . wa s forts , elieving their m l dies He deterred by no fear of disease o r death ; devoting himself n u re mitti n gly to the c a re o f the sufferers . When him th a self a tta cked by e f tal disease , he was delivered

a f Go d by the h nds o , after which he devoted him self more coura geously th a n ever to the ca re o f the

k u a a o f d. sic , ntil the r v ges the pestilence had cease

1 2 6 L LAN S IFE OF ST FRANCIS SO U .

i n a a Being held by them the gre test vener tion , he

a a e sily g ined their consent to his wishes , which others co uld not h a ve done except by thre a ts o r ff punishment . The e ect of his presence and the power o f his simple eloquence over the Indi a ns m ay be inferred from the following occurrence The s a v a ges h a d pl a nned a bloody m a ssacre Of the Christia ns just a s they were celebra ting the ’ s a cred mysteries o f o ur Lord s Pa sSio n o n Holy o la n u s a a Thursd a y . S appe red mong them and so

a a earnestly ple ded for his people , th t their cruel we a pons were l a id aside ; not o n ly was pe a ce res

a tored , but nine thous nd were converted to the

r a Christi a n fa ith . The g e t wonder o f this mira cle

a a a a t o u wa s still more incre sed from the f ct , th t l h gh

a a a ff a u a So a the b rb ri ns spoke di erent l ng ges , yet l

in o n e a l a n d a nus addressed them but di ect , w s

a f a distinctly u nderstood by all . The f me o Fr ncis

a a a h a ving widely spre d abro d , being Often incre sed

f a e de a v by the wonder ul mir cles wrought , he n

a a ll re ti r ored to esc pe the honors shown him , by

. a Ou l ing into solitude , being withdr wn therefrom y

wa s e to by the voice of obedience , when he s nt

a a o f r th e Lim , the c pital Pe u , where he stirred up

a a r people to penance , thre tening them , like nothe

o a w a a a e i n J n s , ith fe rful c l mities , if they continu d

a their wickedness . But they he rkened to his voice a n d truly repented Of their sins . “ a o a n u s h a d 4 . The great l bors Sl undergone for ’

h a . God s honor , completely ruined his e lth At

‘ w a a e a r length , kno ing th t his end pproached , he L AN 1 2 7 . SOL IFE OF ST FRANCIS US.

n e stly desired to be strengthened by the S a cra ments 14 1 6 10 of the C hurch . On July , , he yielded up

a n a his spirit to God who g ve it , foldi g his rms in

a a n d n n a the form of cross respo di g to the pr yers ,

a with his eyes continu lly fixed upon the crucifix . This holy de a th took pl a ce in the Mon a stery o f the

a o f a o n a o f Holy N me Jesus , in Lim , the fe st St . a Bon venture , under whose protection he h a d lon g a W before pl ced himself. hen the soul o f Fra n cis h a d a sse d ‘ fro m a a his a p e rth to he ven , s cred body ,

o a n d - a bef re rough sun burned , bec me white a n d

a a s o f a be utiful , if the glory he ven rested upon it ; a n d a g ve forth sweet Odors . Crowds of people flocked from a ll directions to ve nera te the se s a cred

a n a a rem i s , e ch one trying to obt in portions of his

a m n a n d r a s g r e ts p eserve them relics . “ The vi rtues a n d mira cles of So la n u s h a ving been

e a n d a r a l fully prov d dmi ed , then r tified by the Ho y

. a Apostolic See , our predecessor Clement X of h ppy

h a s a t a o f memory , , f er the usu l solemnities the

a r ra Holy Rom n Church , en olled this F nciscus

So la n us a a o f th e in the c t logue Blessed , Ja nu a ry

2 a r 1 6 75 . 5 , in the ye of our Lord “ Aft rwa l d s n a 5 . e th e a , our ve er ble brethren , C r din a ls o f o a a e a the H ly Rom n Church , h v in ccord a n a a ce with the C nons , presented number o f

a a t be a tific a tio n mir cles , wrought f er his , and they

a a s a n d i n t u h ve l o in our presence , hree f ll cousis

t n a a tories of our bre hren , the ve er ble C rdina ls o f the

a u a s a a a a Holy Rom n Ch rch , lso of the p tri rchs , rch

a n d ‘ bisho s bishops p present in Rome , been legally 1 28 F AN . SOL US LI E OF ST FRANCIS .

discussed . We have received their unanimous r o f opinion through the nota ies the Apostolic See . We h a ve a lso received from Christia n ki n gs a n d

r a n d a p inces , from the whole Order of Fri rs Minor urgent petitions that we would a dmit blessed Fran So la n u s o f cis into the catalogue Holy Confessors , a r who e not bishop s . “ Hence the solemn day h a s been a ppointed to carry o ut a a n d a this gre t work , by pr yers , fa sts and alms - deeds the assista nce o f Almighty God h as been

a most earnestly invoked . And fin lly , when every thing h a d been conscientiously ca rried o utaccording r o f to the dec ees our predecessors , the R oman ff a n d a Ponti s , ccording to the Canons of the Holy

R a o u r a om n Church , We , with vener ble brethren ,

a a R a the C rdin ls of the Holy om n C hurch , the patri

a a r t rchs , chbishops , bishops , pries s , secular and

a a a r a m Of l a regul r , as lso g e t nu ber peop e , ssembled

da a i o n this y , which is consecr ted to God n h o n o r

d a f . s a n o St John the Apo tle Ev ngelist , in this

a o f o f vener ble Church the Prince the Apostles , most humbly to invoke the blessing o f Almighty

G o d . “ a o ur a Here L urentius Corsini , vener ble brother o f the Holy Roma n C hurch and C a rdin a l - Bishop Of h as e Tusculum , for the first , second and third tim

a repeated the r . quest that we should dmit the

f a So l a n us serva nt o God , Fr nciscus , into the

f . a catalogue o Holy Confessors H ving , therefore ,

a a a n d devoutly recited the ppointed pr yers , humbly

H l h st f o , invoked th e ligh t o the y G o , therefore , in

L A 1 . S SOL N 3 0 IFE OF ST FRANCI US.

Confessor , who is not a Bishop , and that it be

a solemnly celebr ted . “ 6 a . By the same uthority We have , and do grant . o f o ur through the mercy Lord , an indulgence o f o n e a ll a year and one quarantine , to the f ithful . who with contrite hearts confess their sins o n the a a o f a nnivers ry his fe st , and venerate his holy relies .

wh o a o n a m a Those do the s me the oct ve thereof, y

l o f a a g a in an indu gence forty d ys , for pen nce r imposed , or in any way to be pe formed . a a G d 7 . Fin lly , we return th nks to Almighty o for h a ving honored His Church by this illustrious

a n d a a and shining light , h ve recited solemn pr yers

i la n u a S s . e f St. o in honor O Fr nc s , St P regrinus

. o f . La tio su s , and St John the Cross At the High f o f A o tle s Alt a r over the relics o the Prince the p ,

a o f th e a s we h a ve Offered the most holy S crifice M s , in which this v ery Confessor a n d the others above m entioned , have been commemorated and we have granted to a ll the fa ithful who were present a ple n “ ary i n dulge n ce fi 8 . Moreover , it behooves us , for such special

a n d a favors to honor , praise glorify God the F ther ,

a ll h from whom good proceeds , and to whom onor and praise a re forever due a n d that we render this

a n d a hom a ge most devoutly e rnestly , beseeching e Him , through the intercession of His chos n servant ,

a a Francis Sol n s , to turn away His indignation from f us o n account o our sins and show us mercy . That

1t s n o n th e u u a l con ditio s . LANU F R SO S. LIFE O ST . F ANCIS

He would imp a rt th e fe a r of His holy n a me to the

a t a a m a a t n ions th t know Him not , th t they y length o u r understa nd there is no other God but God .

9 i a a s i t w diflficult . F n lly , ould be to send this o u r Brief to a ll pl a ces where it should be known ;

o ur a a therefore , it is will th t copies Of it be m de ,

a n d a signed by a n ota ry public , sealed with the se l

n a a a a n d a of a ny perso in the ecclesi stic l uthority , th t it be everywhere acknowledged in the s a me m a nner

as these presents if exhibited in public . a fo r 10 . It sh ll not be permitted any person who soever to contradict the tenor o f this our decl a ra

a a tion , decree , adscription , rel tion , comm nd , statute ,

n a n d o r a i dulgence will , to r shly oppose it . “ a n o n e t But if y have the presump ion to do so , let him known th a t he incurs thereby the indigna tion o f P Almighty God , and His blessed Apostles St . eter

a n d Pa ul . “ ’ Given in R ome at St . Peter s in the year o f the a t o f o u r 1 7 26 o n 2 incarn ion Lord , the 7th o f Decem r t o f o ur P o n tifica h e , the hird year te .

’‘ N D C I I , BE E I T , B isho o th e C a th o lic h h p f C urc .

[ T h e stgn a tures of thirty- two C a rdin a ls a re a dded h to t e a bo ve . ] A . SOL NUS 13 2 LIFE OF ST FRANCIS . — NOTE z His feast is n o w celebra ted o n the 24th of July .

i : Ant phon This man , despising the world , and — trium phi n g over e a rthly thingshath laid up treasures in he a ven by word and deed .

a 0 P . Pr y for us , blessed Francis .

e tc . R . That we may ,

LET US P R AY.

! G o d Oh , who through blessed Francis didst bring into the bosom o f the Church m a ny nations o f

a a Americ ; by his merits and pr yers turn. away Thy

ur x wrath from o sins , and mercifully e te n d th e fear o f Thy n a me to the nations that have n o t kn own — o ur . Thee , through Christ Lord Amen .

FINI s.