that happened, the wrinkled old woman squirted a stream of milk on him, and chased him away with this sprinkling.

Therefore, let everyone bless the Lord, who alone does great wonders, and venerate with eager homage His servant Saint Francis. The boy grew quickly on this marvelous nourishment and soon outgrew his need for it.

¹⁸³A man named Martino took his oxen far from home to find pasture. The leg of one ox was accidentally broken so badly that Martin could think of no remedy. He was concerned about getting the hide, but since he had no knife, he returned home and left the ox in the care of Saint Francis, lest wolves devour it before his return. Early next morning he returned to the ox with his skinning knife, but found the ox grazing peacefully; its broken leg could not be distinguished from the other. He thanked the good shepherd who took such loving care of him, and procured the remedy.

¹⁸⁴Another man from Amiterno had three years earlier lost one of his draft animals by theft, and he took his complaint to Saint Francis and threw himself lamenting before him.

One night, when he had fallen asleep, he heard a voice saying to him: "Get up, go to Spoleto^a and bring back your animal from there." When he woke up, he wondered about the voice, and went back to sleep. When he was called again and had the same vision, he turned to ask who it was. "I am," he said, "that Francis whom you requested." He still feared that it was all an illusion, so he put off doing what he was told. But when he was called a third time he devoutly obeyed the reminder.

He went to Spoleto; he found the animal, which was generously returned to him in good health, and he led it home. He told everyone everywhere about the incident and became a lasting servant of Saint Francis.

¹⁸⁵A man of Antrodoco bought a beautiful bowl and gave it to his wife to treasure. One day the wife's maid took the bowl and put clothes in it with lye for washing. But the heat of the sun and the caustic lye broke the bowl to pieces and made it useless. The trembling maid took the bowl to her lady and showed her what had happened, more with tears than with words. The wife too was shaken; she feared her husband's anger and expected a beating. For the time being she carefully hid the bowl and called on the merits of Saint Francis, asking his favor. At the saint's command the broken parts came together, the cracks were sealed and the bowl was intact. The

 Previous

Next