Search this book
How S. Francis knew in spirit that Brother Elias was damned, and would die outside the Order; wherefore at the supplication of Brother Elias, he prayed to Christ for him, and his prayer was heard
How S. Francis anew in spirit that Brother Elias was damned, and would die outside the Order; wherefore at the supplication of Brother Elias, he prayed to Christ for him, and his prayer was heard
It befell on a time while S. Francis and Brother Elias were dwelling together in the same House, that it was revealed of God unto S. Francis that Brother Elias was damned and would fall away from the Order, and in the end die outside the Order. For the which cause S. Francis took so strong a displeasure against him that he nor spake nor held converse with him; and if at any time it befell that Brother Elias came towards him, he would turn aside and go another way, so that he might not meet him; wherefore Brother Elias began to see and to understand that S. Francis was displeased with him: so, desiring to know the reason thereof, he drew near to S. Francis for to speak with him, and when S. Francis sought to shun Brother Ehas, in courteous wise he detained him by force, and began with modesty to pray him to be pleased to show to him the reason why he thuswise shunned his company and to have speech with him. And S. Francis answered him: ” The reason is this; since it hath been revealed to me by God that thou for thy sins wilt fall away from the Order and die outside the Order, and also hath God revealed to me that thou art damned." Hearing this. Brother Elias spake thus to him: " My reverend father, I pray thee for the love of Jesu Christ that thou shun me not on this account nor drive me from thee, but like a good shepherd, following the example of Christ, seek out the sheep that needs must perish if thou help it not, and take it to thyself again; and pray unto God for me, that, if it be possible. He may revoke the sentence of my damnation; for it is written that God lets change the sentence, if the sinner amends his sin: and I have so great faith in thy prayers that, were I in the midst of hell and thou wert to pray to God for me, I should feel some sweet relief; wherefore again I pray thee to commend me, poor sinner, unto God, who came into the world to save sinners, that He may receive me into His mercy." And this did Brother Elias speak with much devotion and tears: so that S. Francis, like a pitying father, promised him to pray to God for him, and even so he did. And as with exceeding great devotion he prayed to God for him, he learned by revelation that his prayer was heard of God, as no THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF touching the sentence of damnation on Brother Elias, so that at the last his soul would not be damned; but that of a surety he would leave the Order, and outside the Order he would die; and even so it came to pass. For Frederick, King of Sicily, having rebelled against the Church and being excommunicated by the Pope (both he and whoso gave him aid and counsel), — the said Brother Elias, the which was accounted one of the most learned men in the world, being called by the said King Frederick, joined himself unto him, and became a rebel against the Church and an apostate from the Order: for the which cause was he excommunicated by the Pope and the habit of S. Francis taken from him. And while he thus was excommunicate and grievously sick, one of his brethren, a lay brother, the which had remained within the Order and was a man of good and virtuous life, hearing of his sickness, came to visit him, and among other things bespake him thus: ” My brother, most dear, much doth it grieve me that thou art excommunicate and outcast from thine Order, and that thuswise thou shouldest die: but if thou dost see or way or manner by the which I may pluck thee out of this peril, right gladly would I take all manner of pains for thee." Replied Brother Elias: " My brother, I see no other way save that thou get thee to the Pope, and pray him for the love of God and of S. Francis, His servant, through whose admonishments I left the world, to absolve me from his excommunication, and give back to me again the habit of Religion." Then said that brother that right gladly would he do his best endeavours Dditalelli” S. ANTONY OK l'A[)UA (Church o/ S. Antonio, Paihca) for his salvation: and departing from him, he gat him to the feet of the holy Pope, humbly beseeching him to pardon his brother, for the love of Christ and of S. Francis, His servant. And sith it was God's good pleasure, the Pope granted him leave to go back again, and if he found Brother Elias alive, absolve him, in his name, from the excommunication and give the habit back to him again. Wherefore he set out right joyously, and in great haste returned to Brother Elias, and found him still alive, but well-nigh at the point of death, and so he absolved him from the excommunication; and putting on the habit again, Brother Elias passed from out this life, and his soul was saved through the merits of S. Francis and through his prayer, in the which Brother Elias had set such lively hope.