Chapter CLXIII. Of his death, and what he did before his death

217. So while the brethren were weeping bitterly and inconsolably lamenting, the holy father ordered bread to be brought to him: and he blessed it and brake it and handed to each one a morsel to eat. He was calling to mind that most sacred Supper which the Lord last celebrated with his disciples: and it was in reverent memory of Him that he did all this, to show forth the love he bore to the brethren. The few days that remained before he passed away he spent in praise; teaching his dearly loved brethren to praise Christ with him. Moreover, he invited all creatures to praise God; and in certain words which he had composed before exhorted them to the love of God. For he even exhorted Death herself, terrible and hateful to all, to give praise; and joyfully going to meet her, he invited her to lodge with him, saying: "Welcome, my sister Death". And to the physician he said: "Brother physician, boldly foretell that death is at hand, for it will be the gate of life to me". To the brethren: "When ye shall see my end approaching, lay me naked on the ground, even as ye saw me three days ago, and let me lie there when dead for so long a time as one might take to walk a mile gently". So the hour came, and all the mysteries of Christ having been fulfilled in him, he took his happy flight to God.