[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}
{{/data.error.root_cause}}{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}
{{/texts.summary}} {{#data.hits.hits}}
{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}
{{#_source.showLink}} {{/_source.showLink}} {{#_source.showDate}}{{{_source.displayDate}}}
{{/_source.showDate}}{{{_source.description}}}
{{#_source.additionalInfo}}{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}
{{/_source.additionalInfo}}
The Canticle of Exhortation
for the Ladies of San Damiano
(1225)
At the same time of his composition of the Canticle of the Creatures, Francis wrote another canticle for the Poor Ladies of San Damiano’s who, according to the author of The Assisi Compilation, were suffering at knowledge of his ailments.a
1Listen, little poor ones called by the Lord,
who have come together from many parts and provinces.b
2Live always in truth, Jn 17:17
that you may die in obedience.
3Do not look at the life without,
for that of the Spirit is better.c
4I beg you out of great love,
to use with discernment
the alms the Lord gives you.
5Those weighed down by sickness
and the others wearied because of them,
all of you: bear it in peace.
6For you will sell this fatigue at a very high price
and each one will be crowned queen
in heaven with the Virgin Mary.d
- The text of this piece seemed to have been lost until 1941 when it was published with the Rule and Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Saint Clare. In 1976, however, Giovanni Boccali discovered it in a fourteenth century manuscript which, he maintained, proved its authenticity. The text, like CtC, is written in Umbrian dialect. Cf. Giovanni Boccali, "Parole di esortazione alle ‘poverelle’ di San Damiano," Forma Sororum 14 (1977) 54-70; idem, "Canto di esortazione di san Francesco per le ‘poverelle’ di San Damiano," Collectanea Franciscana 48 (1978): 5-29.
- In addition to being the introduction to this song, the encouragement to listen may well be a reflection on a biblical and monastic emphasis expressed throughout the Old Testament, e.g. Isaiah 1:2,10; Proverbs 1:8; 4:1,10; 8:6,32ff, and in the opening of the Benedictine Rule. By this time some of the Poor Ladies of San Damiano’s came from the provinces of Perugia, Spello, Pisa, and Rome, as well as from a number of different towns.
- This verse may be referring to two realities, the enclosure or the interior life. In both instances, Francis encourages the Poor Ladies to pay attention to the life of the Spirit within rather than that of the external work.
- The translation offered is based upon Oktavian Schmucki’s interpretation of the text in which he reads the Umbrian dialect differently from Giovanni Boccali. In Boccali’s interpretation, the passage should read: "You will see that such fatigue is precious ..." Cf. supra.
Verba Exhortationis Audite Poverelle, Fontes Franciscani, p. 245
Verba Exhortationis "Audite Poverelle"
Haec verba fecit beatus Franciscus in vulgari:
1Audite, poverelle, dal Signór[e] vocáte,
ke de multe parte et provincie séte adunáte:
2vivate sémpre / en-veritáte,
ke en obediéntÏa morÏáte.
3Non guardate a la víta de-fóre,
ka quella dello spírito / è-miglióre.
4Io ve prégo per-grand'amóre,
k'aiate discrecÏone // de le lemosene ke ve dà-el Segnór[e].
5Quelle ke sunt adgravate de ínfirmitáte
et l'altre ke per lor[o] s(u)ò adfatigáte
tutte quante lo sostengáte en-páce,
a multo ve[n]deri[te] cara quésta fa[t]íga,
6ka cascúna serà-regína // en celo coronata cum la Vérgene María.