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THE FAREWELL OF S. FRANCIS AT HIS PARTING FROM THE MOUNT OF ALVERNIA Pax Christi
Jesu, Maria, my hope. Brother Masseo the sinner, the unworthy servant of Jesu Christ, the companion of S. Francis of Assisi, a man most pleasing unto God, peace and salutation to all the little brothers and little sons of the great Patriarch Francis, the ensign of Christ. — The great Patriarch being purposed to take a last farewell of this holy Mount, on the 30th of September, 1224, on the day of the festival of S. Jerome, Count Orlando the Count of Chiusi sent him a sumpter ass, that he might ride thereon, sith he was not able to put his feet to the ground, they being wounded and pierced with nails. Having heard mass betimes in the morning in S. Mary of the Angels, as was his wont, and having called us all into the Oratory, he commanded us, for obedience sake, that we should all abide in charity, and all be instant in prayer, and have diligent care of that place, and say the office day and night: moreover he commended unto us all the holy Mount, exhorting all his brothers as well present as to come, never to suffer the said place to be profaned, but held ever in respect and reverence, giving his blessing to all such as should dwell therein, and to such as should hold it in reverence and respect. On the other hand he said: ” Confounded be those who shall not show reverence to this place, and expect not from God the chastisement they deserve." To me he said: " Know, Brother Masseo, that it is my purpose that in this place there abide religious men and from among the best of my Order, that hereby the superiors shall be constrained to set here brothers from among the best. Ah... ah... ah... Brother Masseo, I say no more." He commanded and laid upon us. Brother Angel, Brother Silvester, Brother Illuminato, and Brother Masseo, that we should have special care of the place where happed that great marvel of the imprinting of the holy Stigmata. This said, he cried:,” Unto God, — Farewell, farewell, farewell, Brother Masseo "; then turning himself to Brother Angel: ” Farewell, farewell, farewell. Brother Angel "; and likewise to Brother Silvester and to Brother Illuminato. ', Abide in peace, sons most dear; God bless you, sons most dear; farewell! I depart from you in body, but leave with you my heart. I go with Brother Little Sheep of God (Brother Leo), and I go unto S. Mary of the Angels, and never shall I here return again. I depart — Farewell, farewell, all, farewell. O Mount, farewell. Mount Alvernia, farewell. Mount of Angels, farewell, most beloved, farewell, most beloved. Brother Falcon, I thank thee for the love thou hast borne me. Farewell 3i8 S. FRANCIS OF ASSISI farewell, bright rock, whither never more shall I come to visit thee. Farewell, O rock; farewell, farewell, farewell, O rock, that didst receive me within thy vitals, while the devil was laughed to scorn, no more shall we see each other. Farewell, S. Mary of the Angels, I commend unto thee these my sons. Mother of the Eternal Word." Whileas our dear Father spake these words, our eyes poured out founts of tears, and now he departed weeping, taking away our hearts, while we others remained orphans through the passing of such a Father.
I, Brother Masseo, have written all, may God bless us.
So S. Francis departed through Monte Acuto, taking the road by Monte Arcoppe and Foresto; and being come to the top of the mountain, he lighted down from the ass, and kneeled down towards La Verna, and was fervent in prayer; then he blessed it, giving it his last farewell with these words:
" Farewell, Mount of God, Holy Mount, Mons coagulatus, Mons pinguis, Mons in quo beneplacitum est Deo habitare. Farewell, Monte Alvernia; God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit bless thee, abide in peace, sith we shall see each other nevermore."