Chapter XXV. How he Went Out with Fervour to Meet a Poor Man who Went Away with his Alms Thanking God

ON another time also, when the blessed Father was at St. Mary of the Portiuncula, a certain very spiritual poor man was coming through the street returning from Assisi with alms, and went along praising God in a loud voice with much joyfulness. But when he drew near the church of blessed Mary, blessed Francis heard him, and straightway with great fervour and joy went out to him, running up to him in the way., and with great joyfulness kissing the shoulder whereon he carried the scrip with alms. And he took the wallet from his shoulder and put it on his own shoulder, and thus brought it into the house of the friars, and in their presence said, "Thus I would that a brother of mine should go and return with alms, glad and joyful and praising God."