Devotion To Prayer

San Guistino, Italy at twilight

On another occasion the abbot of the monastery of San Guistino in the diocese of Perugia met St. Francis and immediately dismounted to pay him his respects and discuss his spiritual life with him. When they had conversed pleasantly for some time, the abbot took his leave and humbly asked Francis to pray for him. "I shall be glad to pray for you," the saint replied. After the abbot had gone a little way, Francis turned to his companion and said, "Wait a little while, brother. I want to keep the promise I have made." Then, as Francis prayed, the abbot suddenly felt a warmth and joy of spirit he had never experienced before, so that he was lost in ecstacy and completely rapt out of himself in God. He remained like that for a short while and then, coming back to himself, he recognized the power of Francis' prayer. Ever afterwards he had greater love for the Order than before and he told the story to many people as a miracle.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER X

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