Excessive Mortification

Fac-simile Copy of Signature of St. Francis of Assisi

Francis reproved his brothers when they were too harsh on themselves, wearing out their strength in excessive vigils, fasts, and corporal penance. Some of them mortified their bodies so severely in order to repress the natural human impulses that they appeared to be hating themselves. Francis being filled with the wisdom and grace of our Savior, reproacehed the brothers gently for all this and, using rational arguments, he forbade such excesses, binding up their wounds with bandages of sane precepts and directions.

Saint Francis of Assisi

Legend of the Three Companions - 59

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