Life of Saint Francis of Assisi

The life of a Saint, written by a Saint. Such a biography carries a twofold operation of the Spirit of God with it, both in the subject and in the writer. Such is, in an eminent degree, the Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure—the life of the Seraphic Patriarch written by the Seraphic Doctor. Among uninspired books there are few that breathe more sensibly of the love of God. There is a light and a sweetness about it which is not of this world. The anecdote of St. Thomas visiting St. Bonaventure’s cell, and finding him in ecstasy, is too well known to need recital. St. Bonaventure was then writing the Life of St. Francis, and it was on these very pages that he was intent when St. Thomas drew back from the door, saying, “Let us leave a Saint to work for a Saint.” It is in this same spirit of love and reverence that we ought to read this book.

“Francis, who was most devout to the Most Holy Trinity, thrice opened the book of the Gospels: ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast and give to the poor.’ The second time: ‘Take nothing for your journey.’ And the third time: ‘He who will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’  ‘This,’ said the holy man, ‘is our life and our rule.’ “

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