Chapter VII. How he came from Siena to Assisi: of the Church of Santa Maria in Portiuncula: and of the blessing of the brethren
105. Now in the sixth month before the day of his death, while he was at Siena for the treatment of the infirmity of his eyes, he began grievously to sicken in all the rest of his body; and the stomach being weakened through long standing disease and the disordered state of the liver, he vomited much blood, so that he seemed to be drawing nigh to death. On hearing of this, brother Elias came to him from a distance with the utmost haste; and when he arrived the holy father recovered so much that he left Siena and came with Elias to Cella di Cortona. He came there and remained there some time during which his belly, his legs and his feet swelled, and his stomach became more and more deranged so that he could scarcely take any food. Then he asked brother Elias that he would have him brought to Assisi. The good son did what the kind father wished, prepared all things and brought him to the longed-for place. The city rejoiced over the arrival of the blessed father, and the mouths of all the people praised God, for the whole multitude hoped that the holy man might soon die;1 and this was the matter of their so great exultation. And so it came to pass by the will of God, namely, that his holy soul, when released from the body, passed to the Kingdom of Heaven from the place where, while still abiding in the flesh, the knowledge of heavenly things had been first vouchsafed to him, and the saving unction poured upon him. 106. For though he knew that the Kingdom of Heaven has been set up in every place on earth, and believed that in every place the Divine grace is bestowed on God's elect, he had found by experience that the "place "of the Church of S. Maria in Portiuncula was filled with more fruitful grace, and frequented by the visitation of heavenly spirits. Therefore he often used to say to the brethren: "See, my sons, that ye never desert this place. If you are driven out by one way, come back by another: for this place is truly holy, and the abode of God. Here, when we were few the Most High increased us; here He enlightened the hearts of His poor men by the light of His wisdom; here He kindled our wills by the fire of His love; here he who shall pray with devout heart shall have what he asks, and he who shall offend shall be more heavily punished. Wherefore, my sons, deem the place of God's habitation worthy of all honour, and there with all your heart, with the voice of exultation and praise, give thanks to God."
107. Meanwhile, as his sickness increased, all his bodily force failed, and being deprived of all strength, he could not move at all. And when one of the brethren asked him which he would rather bear, this sickness, so lingering and so long, or to undergo from an executioner any martyrdom, however terrible, his answer was: "That, my son, ever has been and is dearest, sweetest, and most acceptable to me which it most pleases the Lord my God to do in me and with me, to Whose will I ever desire to be found conformable and obedient in all things. But in exchange for any kind of martyrdom it would be more distressing to me to bear this sickness, were it but for three days; and I do not say this having regard to the reward, but only to the distress which the suffering causes." O martyr, and once again martyr, who with laughter and rejoicing most gladly bore that which to all was most bitter and grievous to behold!
Truly not one of his members was left free from extreme suffering, and as the natural heat was being gradually lost, he was daily drawing near the end. The doctors were amazed and the brethren wondered how the spirit could live in flesh so dead, when the skin alone (the flesh having perished) stuck to the bones.
108. Now when he saw that his last day was at
HE BLESSES BROTHER ELI AS to7 hand (which had also been indicated to him two years before by Divine revelation), he called to him the brethren whom he would, and, as it was given him from above he blessed each one even as of old the patriarch Jacob blessed his sons, nay rather like a second Moses about to go up to the mountain which God had appointed him, he enlarged the children of Israel with blessings. And as brother Elias was sitting on his left hand and his other sons were sitting around, he crossed his hands, laid his right hand on Elias' head and said (he being deprived of the light and use of his outward eyes), "On whom am I holding my right hand?" "On brother Elias," was the answer. "And that is my wish," said he, adding: "I bless thee, my son, in and through all things, and as the Most High hath in thy hands increased my brethren and sons, so also, over thee and in thee do I bless them all. God, the King of all, bless thee in heaven and in earth. I bless thee as I can, and more than I can, and what I cannot may He who can do all things do in thee. God remember thy work and toil, and may a share be reserved for thee in the recompense of the just. Mayest thou find every blessing thou desirest, and may that which thou dost worthily ask be fulfilled. Fare ye well all ye my sons in the fear of God and remain in Him always, for a great trial is coming upon you and tribulation draweth nigh. Happy are they who shall persevere in the things they have begun, for the scandals that are to be shall separate some from them.2 But I am hastening to the Lord, and am now confidently going to my God, whom in my spirit I have served with devotion." He was at that time dwelling in the palace of the Bishop of Assisi; and therefore he asked the brethren to carry him with all speed to the "place" of S. Maria de Portiuncula; for he wished to give back his soul to God there, where (as has been said) he first knew the way of the truth perfectly.
Footnotes
Chapter 38 of 44