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How there appeared unto Brother Conrad the Mother of Christ, S. John the Evangelist and S. Francis; and told him which of them had the greater grief for the Passion of Christ
At the time when there dwelt together in the Custody of Ancona, in the House of Forano, Brother Conrad and the aforesaid Brother Peter, the which were two shining stars in the Province of the March, and like denizens of heaven; for between them was there such love as seemed to spring from one and the self-same heart and self-same soul. They bound themselvestogethereach toeachby this agreement, that every consolation that the mercy of God might vouchsafe them, they would reveal the one unto the other in love. This pact being stablished between them, it befell on a day that Brother Peter being at prayer, and most devoutly meditating on the Passion of Christ, and how the most blessed Mother of Christ, and John the Evangelist, the most beloved disciple, and S. Francis, were depicted at the foot of the Cross through grief of soul being crucified with Christ, there came to him a longing to know which of those three had the greater grief for the Passion of Christ: His Mother, that had borne Him; or the Disciple, that had slept upon His breast; or S. Francis, that had with Christ been crucified: and as he continued in such pious thoughts, there appeared unto him the Virgin Mary, with S. John the Evangelist, and S. Francis, clad in the noblest robes of beatific glory; but S. Francis appeared clad in more beau- tiful vesture than S. John. And Peter being sore adread at this vision, S. John comforted him, and said: ” Fear not, dear brother, seeing that we are come to console thee in thy doubt. Know then that the Mother of Christ and I above all other creatures sorrowed for the Passion of Christ; but next after us S. Francis felt greater grief than all others: wherefore dost thou behold him in so great glory." And Brother Peter asked him: ” Most holy Apostle of Christ, wherefore doth the vesture of S. Francis appear more beautiful than thine? " Replied S. John: " The reason thereof is: because when he was in the world, he wore on his back viler raiment than I." And said these words, S. John gave unto Brother Peter a glorious robe that he was carrying in his hand, and said unto him: “ Take this robe which I have brought for to give it thee; " and when S. John sought to array him in this robe. Brother Peter fell to the ground, sore amazed, and began to cry out: ” Brother Conrad, Brother Conrad most dear, quick, help me; come and see things wonderful; " and at these holy words that holy vision vanished from his sight. Then Brother Conrad coming, he told him everything in order; and they gave thanks unto God.