Chapter XXV

How S. Francis miraculously healed one that was a leper both in soul and body; and what the soul said to him, as it went up into heaven

The true disciple of Christ, S. Francis, while he lived in this miserable life, strove with all his might to follow Christ, the perfect Master; whence it befell oftentimes through the divine working, that of whomsoever he healed the body, God healed the soul in the self-same hour, even as it is read of Christ. And because he not only served the lepers of his own will, but moreover had ordained that the brothers of his Order, whether staying or going throughout the world, should serve the lepers for the love of Christ, who willed for our sakes to be accounted a leper, it befell on a time that in a certain House, hard by to that wherein S. Francis then abode, the brothers were serving the lepers and the sick in an hospital, wherein was a leper so impatient, and so unbearable, and so perverse, that all men deemed — and even so it was — that of a surety he was possessed of the devil; for so shamefully did he assail with vile words and blows whoso did him service, and, what is still worse, he blasphemed with foul abuse the blessed Christ and His most holy Mother, the Virgin Mary, so that in no wise S. FRANCIS OF ASSISI yj: could be found any that could endure to serve him or was willing thereunto. And albeit the brothers strove with patience to endure the insults and injuries to their own proper selves, for to increase the merit of patience, nevertheless since their consciences might no longer endure those heaped on Christ and on His Mother, they all at once resolved to leave the said leper; but they wished not so to do until such time as they had signified the same in order unto S. Francis, who at that time abode in a House a-nigh thereto. And when they had told him, S. Francis went to this leper so perverse; and coming close up to him, saluted him, saying: " God give thee peace, my brother most dear." Replied the leper: "What peace may I have of God, who hath taken from me peace and all good things, and hath made me stinking and rotten altogether., " And S. Francis said: ” My little son, have patience; for the infirmities of the body are given by God in this world for the salvation of souls, seeing that they are of great merit when borne patiently." Replied the sick man: " And how can I bear with patience the continual pain that racks me day and night? And not only am I afflicted with mine infirmity; but the brothers whom thou hast given me to do me service, deal worse with me, and do not serve me as they ought." Then S. Francis, knowing by revelation that this leper was possessed with the evil spirit, went and set himself to pray, and prayed God devoutly for him. And his prayer ended, he returned to him again, and spake thus: " My son, I will myself do thee service.

seeing thou art not content with the others." " I am willing," quoth the sick man; "but what canst thou do more than these others? " Replied S. Francis: " Whatsoever thou dost wish, that will I do." Quoth the leper: " I wish that thou wash me all over; for I stink so vilely that I cannot abide myself." Thereupon S. Francis forthwith let boil water with many sweet-smelling herbs; then stripped him and began to wash him with his own hands, and another brother poured out the water; and it came to pass by a divine miracle, that wheresoe'er S. Francis touched him with his holy hands, the leprosy departed, and the flesh remained perfectly whole. And as the flesh began to heal, even so began the soul to be healed also; whereby the leper, seeing that he was beginning to be cured, began to feel great compunction and repentance for his sins, and began most bitterly to lament; so that while his body was being cleansed without from the leprosy by the washing of the water, so his mind within was cleansed from sin by amendment and by tears. And being every whit made whole both in body and soul, he humbly confessed his sin; and weeping, said in a loud voice: ” Woe is me, that am worthy of hell, for the insults and injuries that I have said and done unto the brothers, and for the impatience and blasphemies that I have spoken against God; " wherefore for fifteen days he continued in bitter wailing for his sins, and in calling on the mercy of God, confessing himself unto the priest with his whole heart. And S. Francis beholding so clear a miracle, that God had worked by his hands, gave thanks to God, and departed thence, going into a far country; because for humility's sake he wished to shun all glory, and in all his works he sought only the honour and glory of God, and not his own. Thereafter, for so it was the will of God, the said leper, healed in body and soul, after fifteen days of his penitence, fell sick of another infirmity, and died a holy death armed with the sacraments of the church; and his soul on its way to Paradise appeared in the air unto S. Francis, as he was at prayer, and said unto him: " Dost thou know me again? " " Who art thou? " quoth S. Francis. " I am the leper whom Christ, the Blessed One, healed through thy merits, and now I go unto life eternal; wherefore I give thanks to God and to thee; blessed be thy soul and body: and blessed be thy holy words and works; for through thee shall many souls in the world be saved: and know of a truth that there is no day in the world wherein the holy Angels and the other Saints give not praise to God for the holy fruits that thou and thy Order gather in in diverse parts of the world; wherefore be comforted, and give thanks to God and abide steadfast with His blessing." And saying these words, he passed into heaven; and S. Francis abode in much consolation.