Fioretti di San Francesco: we seek faith like the Saint of Assisi

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He ruled that Saint Francis and his companions were called and elected by God to carry the heart and the operations with their hearts, and to preach the cross of Christ with their tongues, they seemed and were crucified men, as regards the habit and the austere life , and as regards their deeds and operations; and yet they wished more to bear shame and oppression for the love of Christ, who honors the world or vain reverence or praise, indeed of the injuries they rejoiced, and the honors were saddened.

And so they went out into the world as pilgrims and strangers, carrying nothing but Christ crucified; and yet that they were of the true vine, that is, Christ, they produced great and good fruits of souls, who earned to God.

It became, in the principle of religion, that Saint Francis sent Friar Bernardo to Bologna, so that there, according to the grace that God had given him, he bore fruit to God, and Friar Bernardo making the sign of the most holy cross for holy obedience, he left and arrived in Bologna.

And seeing him the children in disused and cowardly clothes, they made him many ridicule and many insults, as one would do to a madman; and Brother Bernard patiently and cheerfully supported everything for the love of Christ.

Indeed, so that he was better educated, it was possible to study it in the town square; so sitting there so many children and men gathered around him, and who pulled his hood back and who in front, who threw dust and who stones, who pushed him from here and who from there: and Brother Bernardo, always one way and patience, with a happy face, he did not regret and did not change. And for several days he returned to that same place, even to support similar things.

And yet that patience is a work of perfection and devoid of virtue, a wise doctor of law, seeing and considering so much constancy and virtue of Brother Bernardo not being able to be disturbed in many days for any harassment or insult, he said to himself: «Impossible is impossible that he is not a holy man. "

And approaching him yes he asked: "Who are you, and why did he come here?" And Brother Bernardo put his hand in his bosom and brought out the rule of Saint Francis, and let him read it. And having read that he had it, considering his very high state of perfection, with great amazement and admiration he turned to his companions and said: «Truly this is the highest state of religion I have ever heard; and yet he and his companions are of the most holy men of this world, and it is a great sin that he who insults him, who would like to be most honored, knew both what is a friend of God. "

And he said to Brother Bernardo: "If you want to take a place in which you could serve God in style, I would gladly give for the health of my soul." Brother Bernard replied: "Lord, I believe that this has inspired our Lord Jesus Christ, and yet I am happy to accept your offer in honor of Christ".

Then the said judge with great joy and charity brought Friar Bernardo to his house; and then he gave him the promised place, and everything agreed and fulfilled his expenses; and from then on he became father and apothecary defender of Brother Bernardo and his companions.

And Brother Bernardo, for his holy conversation, began to be very honored by the people, so much so that blessed was he who could touch or see him. But he as a true disciple of Christ and of the humble Francis, fearing that the honor of the world would not prevent the peace and health of his soul, yes he left one day and returned to Saint Francis and said thus: «Father, the place it is taken in the city of Bologna; you sent defrati whom I maintain and care for you, but that I was no longer making any profit from it, indeed because of the too much honor that was done to me, I fear that I would never lose more than I would not earn you. "

Then Saint Francis hearing everything in order, since God had used for Brother Bernardo, thanked God, who thus began to dilate the poor disciples of the cross; and then he sent his companions to Bologna and Lombardy, who took them from many places in different parts.

In praise of Jesus Christ and poor Francis. Amen.