FRANCIS
231
FRANCIS
self to the study of theology, and devoted the re-
mainder of his life to missionary labours in his native
town and vicinity. As missionary Blessed Francis
has become a shining example to the preachers of the
Seraphic Order. He was a man of prayer and untiring
study. In accordance with the words of the rule,
"Ut sint examinata et casta eorum eloquia", he was
deeply convinced that the friars must announce to the
faithful only well-grounded and authentic doctrine, in
unambiguous and carefully sifted language. Ever
mindful of this principle, Francis logically took a
further step which has signahzed him as a far-sighted
and truly progiessive member of his order. As a con-
sequence of the extensive proportions theological
studies had assumed since the time of St. Francis, the
humble collections of bibUcal and patristic works,
which were found in the early Franciscan communi-
ties, no longer met the de-
mands of the student and
preacher. Hence, Francis,
heedless of any disapprov-
ing voice, promptly pur-
chased with his father's
money a handsome library,
the first on an extended
scale established in the
order. He loved to call it
the "best workshop in the
convent", and its catalogue,
mentioned by ^\'a^l(ling,
contains numerous works
of the Fathers, the masters
of theology, biblical com-
mentators, philosophers,
mathematicians, and
preachers, which shows that
Francis was indeed, in this
respect, quite abreast of his
time. No wonder, then,
that we find all his biogra-
phers in accord with ^lark
of Lisbon, who styles him a
"most learned man and re-
nowned preacher". Of the
writings of Francis Venim-
beni httle has been pub-
lished. His "Chronica
Marchije et Fabriani", his
"De veritate et excellentia
Indulgentise S. Mariae de
Port iuncula", and the
"Opusculum de serie et
gestis Ministrorum Generalium", all three probably
forming one extensive chronicle, have unfortunately
disappeared, save a few precious fragments bearing
on the most saUent questions of early F'ranciscan
history. Besides several treatises of a philosophical,
ascetical, and didactic character, he wrote an "Ars
Praedicantium", numerous "Sermons", and a beauti-
iu\ elegy on the death of St. Bonaventure. Despite
his literary pursuits and manifold missionary occu-
pations Francis found ample time for ascetical prac-
tices and works of an all-embracing charity. God
testified to the sanctity of His servant by many signs
and miracles. His cult was approved by Pius VI in
1775.
The biography of Blessed Francis was written by his nephew, Dominic Fessi, and other contemporary writers. Wadding has collected and utilized their accounts for his Aniials. Puli- GNANi, Misctflt. Francesc, X, 69 sq., enumerates the more re- cent biographers of F., and recommends especially two books by LuiGl Tasso: Diacarso laudatorio del B. Francesco Venim- beni da Fabriano (Fabriano. 1881), and Vita del B. Francesco da Fabriano dell' ordine dei Minori (Fabriano, 1893). The lat- ter contains a brief treatise by Francis, and his elegy on St. Bonaventure. Extracts from his Chronicle have been edited by PuuGNANi, op, cit., 69-72. — Cf. de Clary. L'Aureole Seraph., tr. Lives of the Saints and Blessed of the three Orders of St. Francis (Taunton, 1882—), II. 171-175; Wadding, .i/inales (Rome, 1731—), III, 244, 243, IV, 276-278, 400, VI, 377-385;
St. Francis
Murillo, Museo de
Idem, Scriptores (Rome, 1G5U), 115; Sbaralea, Supplementum
(Rome, 1806), 252; .icia SS. (Venice, 1734—), April, III, 88-94.
Thomas Plassmann.
Francis of Paula, Saint, founder of the Order of Minims; b. in liltj, at Paula, in Calabria, Italy; d. 2 April, 1507, at Plessis, France. His parents were remarkable for the holiness of their fives. Remaining childless for some years after their marriage they had recourse to prayer, especiaUj- commending themselves to the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. Three children were eventually born to them, the eldest of whom was Francis. When still in the cradle he suffered from a swelUng which endangered the sight of one of his eyes. His parents again had recourse to St. Francis of Assisi, and made a vow that their son should pass an entire year in the "little habit" of St. Francis in one of the con- vents of his order, a not un- common practice in the Mid- dle Ages. The chUd was immediately cured. From his early years Francis showed signs of extraordi- nary sanctity, and at the age of thirteen, being ad- monished by a vision of a Franciscan friar, he entered a convent of the Franciscan Order in order to fulfil the vow made by his parents. Here he gave gi'eat edifi- cation by his love of prayer and mortification, his pro- found humility, and his jirumpt obedience. At the completion of the year he went with his parents on a jiilgrimage to Assisi, Rome, and other places of devo- tion. Returning to Paula 111- selected a retired spot on his father's estate, and there lived in solitude; but later nil he found a more retired dwelling in a cave on the sea coast. Here he re- mained alone for about six years giving himself to prayer and mortification. ,°r ^,^'^" , . . In 1435 two companions
1 Prado, Madnd -^^-^^^^^ ^^^^ j^^ ^j^ retreat,
and to accommodate them Francis caused three cells and a chapel to be built: in this way the new order was begun. The number of his disciples gradually increased, and about 1454, with the permission of Pyrrhus, Archbishop of Cosenza, Francis built a large monastery and church. The building of this monas- tery was the occasion of a great outburst of enthusi- asm and devotion on the part of the people towards Francis; even the nobles carried stones and joined in the work. Their devotion was increased by the many miracles which the saint wrought in answer to their prayers. The rule of life adopted by Francis and his religious was one of extraordinary severity. They observed perpetual abstinence and lived in great pov- erty, but the distinguishing mark of the order was humility. They were to seek to live unknown and hidden from the world. To ex-press this character which he would have his disciples cultivate, Francis eventually obtained from the Holy See that they should be styled Minims, the least of all rehgious. In 1474 Sixtus IV gave him permission to wTite a rule for his community, and to assume the title of Hermits of St. Francis: this rule was formally approved by Alexander VI, who, however, changed their title into that of Minims. After the approbation of the order,
