Course 3, Chapter 44

Christianity preserved and propagated. — Founding of the Order of Minims. — Council of Florence. — Discovery of America. — Fifteenth Century, continued.

1. Who was St. Francis of Paula?

St. Francis, of Paula, one of the great consolations of the church in the fifteenth century, was born in Italy; he retired to a solitude where he led the most austere life, and founded the order of the Minims.

2. What was the object of this order?

To revive charity almost extinguished in the hearts of a great number of Christians, and to repair the scandalous violation of the laws of fasting and abstinence. For this reason the Minims added the vow of perpetual lent to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

3. Where did St. Francis of Paula die?

St. Francis of Paula died in France, whither he had come by order of the sovereign pontiff to assist on his death-bed, Louis XI who died in his arms. The miracles and sanctity of St. Francis of Paula and his numerous disciples consoled the church, and aided her to support new trials.

4. What were these trials?

These trials were the ruin of the empire of Con stantinople and the conquests of the Mahometans. During five hundred years the Greeks seemed to wish a re-union with the church of Rome; especially at the council of Florence, where they signed the same profession of faith with the Latins, but to which they proved unfaithful.

5. What happened after?

The Almighty, weary of their iniquities, sent against them Mahomet II, emperor of the Turks, who took Constantinople, reduced all Greece to servitude,

and was prepared to seize upon other provinces, having made a vow to exterminate entirely the Christian name; but God came to the help of the church. Mahomet was conquered by the knights of Rhodes, and died miserably.

6. How did God compensate the church?

God compensated the church for the loss of the Greek empire: 1st, by the conversion of Samogitia, which was brought into the one fold by Jagellon, king of Poland; 2d, by the preaching of the Gospel in the interior of Africa and in the Canaries; 3d, by the discovery of America, where the gospel soon made rapid conquests.