Chapter XLIII

How Brother Conrad of Offida converted a young brother, that was troubling the other brethren

The said Brother Conrad of Offida, marvellous zealot of gospel poverty and of the rule of S. Francis, was of so religious a life and of so great merit in the sight of God, that Christ, the blessed One, honoured him in his life and death with many miracles; among the which, having come on a time as a guest to the House of Offida, the brothers prayed him, for the love of God and of charity, to admonish a young brother that was in that place, the which bore himself in a manner so childish and unruly and ungovernable, that he disturbed both old and young of the community in the divine office, and for the other observances of the rule cared little or naught. Wherefore Brother Conrad, in pity for the youth and at the prayers of the brothers, called the said brother aside one day and in fervour of charity spake unto him words of admonition so effective and devout, that by the working of the divine grace he suddenly changed in his behaviour from a boy to an old man, and became so obedient, and gentle, and careful, and devout, and thereafter so peaceful and serviceable, and so studious of all virtue, that, as at the first all the community had been disturbed by him, so were they all content with him and comforted, and loved him exceeding well. A while after, sith it was the will of God, after this his conversion the youth aforesaid died; whereof the said brothers were sore grieving; and a few days after his death his soul appeared unto Brother Conrad as he was devoutly praying before the altar of the said convent, and saluted him devoutly as a father; and Brother Conrad asked him: "• Who art thou? " He answered, and said: " I am the soul of that young brother that died in these days.” Quoth Brother Conrad: “ O my son most dear, how is it with thee? " He answered: ” By the grace of God and your admonishments, it is well; seeing that I am not damned, but for certain of my sins, whereof I had not time sufficiently to purge me, I suffer the grievous pains of Purgatory: but I pray thee, father, that even as of thy pity thou didst succour me whilst yet I lived, so now thou wilt be pleased to help me in my pains, saying a Paternoster for me; sith thy prayer is much acceptable in the sight of God” Then Brother Conrad consenting gently unto his prayers, and saying the Paternoster once for him and the Requiem aeternam, quoth that soul: ” O father most dear, what blessedness and sweet refreshment do I feel! now I pray thee that thou say it once again” And Brother Conrad said it: and when that it was said, quoth the soul: ” Holy father, when thou prayest for me I feel my pains assuaged; wherefore I do beseech thee that thou cease not praying for me” Thereat Brother Conrad, seeing that this soul was so much helped by his prayers, said for him a hundred Paternosters; and when that they were said, quoth the soul: " I thank thee, father most dear, in the name of God, for the love that thou hast shown me; for through thy prayers am I set free from all my pains, and now am I going to the celestial kingdom; " and this said, the soul was away. Then Brother Conrad, for to give ioy and comfort to the brethren, told unto them all this vision in order. And thus the soul of that youth went to Paradise through the merits of Brother Conrad.