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How S. Francis converted in Bologna two scholars, who became brothers; and how thereafter he delivered one of them from a sore temptation
S. Francis coming on a time to the city of Bologna, all the people of the city ran together to see him; and so great was the press that scarce with great difficulty could the people reach the square; and the square being all full ot men and of women and of scholars, S. Francis stood high up in the midst of them, and began to preach whatsoever the Holy Spirit taught him; and preached so marvellously that it seemed rather that an angel was preaching than a man: and his celestial words appeared even as sharp arrows piercing the hearts of them that heard him in such sort that in that preaching a great multitude of men and women were converted into penitence. Among the which were two students, nobly born, from the March of Ancona; and the one was named Pellegrino, and the other Rinieri: the which twain by divine inspiration touched in the heart through the said preaching, came to S. Francis, saying that they wished wholly to abandon the world and be of the number of his brethren. Then S. Francis, knowing by revelation that they were sent of God, and that in the Order they would lead a holy life, and noting their great fervour, received them joyfully, saying: " Do thou, Pellegrino, live in the Order the life of humility, and thou. Brother Rinieri, serve the brethren; ” and even so it was; for Brother Pellegrino wished not to live as a priest but as a lay brother, albeit he was a great scholar and right learned in the canon law; through the which humility he attained unto such great perfection of virtue, that Brother Bernard, the first-born of S. Francis, said of him that he was one of the most perfect brothers in the world. And at the last, the said Brother Pellegrino, full of virtue, passed from this miserable life unto the life of the blessed, and wrought
Itti intij mrnls figtits,mm,uur pints a mrm ttuanr ks tómim cutimttiotxt coti,ucsm (lyue ttipuaumut,immr rnnwins fttfumr fiimm tómt la
Intn pDU m%ies aii.:x;r3,att i,iJtm aast t,i,g:ato. ton tcmp, mmmt Ctt ìHimt t m, It cowsai Mtciftr It maialnt, It mim tót,ìtmt eii au tic tome firiml,tumm iaawQilt quii fii |], Ittftmfms, 61» mi0 S. FkANCIS I'KKACIflNO (From a MS. in the British Micsenm. See List of I Ibistrations) S. FRANCIS OF ASSISI,5 many miracles before his death and thereafter. And the said Brother Rinieri devoutly and faithfully served the brethren, dwelling in great sanctity and humility: and he became S. Francis” close familiar friend. Being afterwards made minister of the province of the March of Ancona, he ruled it for a long time with the utmost peace and discretion. A while after, God suffered a very grievous temptation to arise within his soul: and he, being in anguish and tribulation thereby, afflicted himself with fasts, with scourgings, with tears and prayers, both day and night: but for all that he could not rid him of that temptation; but oftentimes abode in great despair, sith he deemed himself thereby abandoned of God. While he was in such despair, as a last remedy he minded to go to S. Francis, thinking thus within himself: '* If S. Francis will look kindly on me, and show himself mine own familiar friend, as is his wont, I believe that God will yet have pity on me: but if not, it will be a sign that I shall be abandoned by God." So he set out and came to S. Francis, who at that time lay grievously sick in the palace of the bishop of Assisi; and God revealed unto him all the manner of the temptation and the despair of the said brother Rinieri, and of his purpose and his coming. And straightway S. Francis called Brother Leo and Brother Masseo, and said unto them: " Go ye out at once to meet my little son, most dear to me. Brother Rinieri, and embrace him on my behalf and salute him, and tell him that among all the brothers that are in the world I love him with especial love." So they went, and found Brother Rinieri on the way, and embraced him, saying unto him whatsoever S. Francis had bidden them say. Whereby such consolation and sweetness filled his soul that he was as one beside himself: and giving thanks to God with all his heart, he went on and came to the place where S. Francis lay sick. And albeit S. Francis was grievously sick, yet when he heard that Brother Rinieri was coming, he got up and went to meet him, and embraced him very sweetly, and said: '* My little son, most dear to me, Brother Rinieri, among all the brothers that are in the world, I love thee, I love thee with especial love." And this said, he made the sign of the most holy cross upon his brow, and kissed him thereon; and bespake him again: ” My little son, most dear, God hath suffered this temptation to assail thee for thy great gain in merit, but if thou no more desire this gain, then let it be.” O marvel! as soon as S. Francis had said these words, incontinent departed from him all temptation, as though in all his life he had felt it not a whit, and he remained altogether comforted.