Chapter LXVII. How an abbot felt the power of S. Francis' prayer

101. Another time the abbot of the monastery of S. Giustino, in the diocese of Perugia, happened to meet S. Francis. Dismounting quickly from his horse, the abbot talked with S. Francis for a short time concerning his soul's health, and then, as he was going away, humbly begged S. Francis to pray for him. "I will gladly pray for thee, my lord," answered S. Francis. So when the abbot had gone a little distance away from S. Francis, the Saint said to his companion: "Wait a little, brother, for I wish to pay the debt which I have promised to discharge". (For his custom always was when asked to pray for any one not to put the matter aside, but to perform such a promise quickly.) And so, as the Saint was praying to God, suddenly the abbot felt in his spirit an unwonted warmth and a sweetness he had never experienced before, so that he seemed quite carried out of himself in rapture of mind. He stood still for a little while, and then, coming to himself again, he knew the power of holy Francis' prayer. Thenceforth therefore he ever glowed with greater love toward the Order, and related the fact to many as a miracle.

Meet it is that God's servants should give one another such gifts; and such communion between them in giving and receiving is fitting. That holy love which is sometimes termed "special "is content with the fruit of prayer; charity makes little account of earthly gifts. To help and to be helped in the spiritual warfare, to commend and to be commended before Christ's tribunal, this I believe to be the characteristic of holy love. But to what a height do you suppose that man rose in prayer to be able thus to raise up another by his merits?