Chapter VI

How S. Francis blessed the holy Brother Bernard and left him as his vicar, when he came to pass away from this life

Brother Bernard was of such sanctity that S. Francis held him in high reverence, and praised him oftentimes. It happened on a day while S. Francis was continuing devoutly in prayer, that it was revealed to him by God that Brother Bernard under leave of God must needs endure full many and sharp assaults of the demons: wherefore S. Francis having great compassion on the said Brother Bernard, whom he loved as his little son, prayed many days with tears, beseeching God for him and committing him unto Jesu Christ, that he might give him the victory over the demon. And S. Francis thus devoutly praying, on a day God answered him: ” Francis, fear not; for all the temptations wherewith Brother Bernard must needs be assailed, are permitted him of God, forthe exercise of virtue and a crown of merit; and in the end will he have the victory over all his enemies, for that he is one of the great ones of the kingdom of heaven." At the which reply S. Francis was exceeding glad and gave thanks unto God: and from that hour forth he ever bore him greater love and reverence. And this was shown forth not only in his life, but also at his death. For S. Francis coming near unto death and having, like the holy patriarch Jacob, his devoted sons standing round about him sorrowing and weeping at the departure of so lovable a father, asked: " Where is my firstborn Ì Come to me, my little son, that my soul may bless thee before I die." Then Brother Bernard spake secretly unto Brother Elias, who was vicar of the Order: ” Go, father, to the right hand of the saint, that he may bless thee." And Brother Elias setting himself at his right hand, S. Francis, who had lost his sight by reason of his too much weeping, laid his right hand on the head of Brother Elias, and said: " This is not the head of my first-born Brother Bernard." Then Brother Bernard went to him on his left hand, and S. Francis then put his arms in the shape of a cross and laid the right hand on the head of Brother Bernard and the left on the head of the said Brother Elias,and spakethus untoBrother Bernard:

" May God the Father of our Lord Jesu Christ bless thee with all spiritual and celestial blessings in Christ. Since thou art the first-born, elect in this holy Order to give an ensample of the gospel life, to follow Christ in gospel poverty; for not only didst thou give and distribute to the poor whatever was thine wholly and freely for the love of Christ, but offered thyself also unto God in this Order for a sacrifice of sweetness; blessed be thou therefore of our Lord Jesu Christ and of me His poor little servant, with everlasting benedictions, going and staying, waking and sleeping, living and dying; let whoso blesseth thee be filled with blessings, whoso curseth thee go not free from punishment. Be thou the chief among thy brethren, and to thy command let all the brothers yield obedience: have thou license to receive into this Order whomsoever thou wilt, and let no brother have lordship over thee, and be thou free to go and stay where'er it pleaseth thee.” And after the deathof S. Francis, the brothers loved and honoured Brother Bernard as a father worthy of all reverence, and when he drew nigh unto death there came to him many brothers from diverse parts of the world, among whom came that seraphic and godlike Brother Giles; who, looking on Brother Bernard, said with joyfulness: " Sursum corda, Brother Bernard, sursum corda: " and Brother Bernard spake secretly unto a brother that he should make ready for Brother Giles a place well fitted for contemplation: and so was it done. Being at the last hour of death, Brother Bernard let lift him up, and spake unto the brothers that were before him, saying: ” O brothers most dear, I desire not to speak to you many words: but ye should bear in mind that the life of Religion that I have had, ye have still now, and this that now I have, ye too shall have, and this I find within my soul, that for a thousand worlds the like of this I would not. have served any other Lord than our Lord Jesu Christ: and for every fault I have committed I do accuse myself and confess my guilt unto my Saviour Jesu and to you. I pray you, my brothers most dear, that ye love one another; " and after these words and other good admonishments, he laid him down upon his bed, and his face grew bright and joyful beyond measure, so that all the brothers marvelled exceedingly, and in that joyfulness his most holy soul, crowned with glory, passed from this present life into the blessed life of the angels.