Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-07
RONISU LEGENDS.
(Ffom itc Rcr. u. S. tsWeys .Nayratinc


mont. Loslion, 1929
In the course OF my excursion, last wear |
nAIi visit 10 the celebrated church and con.
vent of AlolJnna deeij Angel, called Porziun
cola near ASSIST. One ut the monks conducted
me through the vlriou, scenes of the miracles
of ST. Francis, the founder of his order .n.i
kept entertaining inc with legends, naIv OF
winch really should have supposed were the
lctions ofhi5 own BRAN, ifhc had not afterwards
presented me wi;la small book, entitled. ,.Brcve
dcscriEunc della Sagra Blsilica iii $. Maria
dcSl! Angioii, "puhiishrd by the POpc's nuLHo:ity
and containing full history of all that saini,;
marvellous adventures. Ii has gone through
twelve editions, an | processes to be written Tor
the instruction of the devout, and especially Of
pilgrims who visit the holy Porziuncola.' the
following Is literal translation of two of those
prcrostcIous tales TO which have alluded.
. Ii was in the year 1921, and in the month
OF October, that the holy father, st. Francis.
was PRAYING one night very earnestly for sinners.
III las own habltatlon, distant about fort, PAGES
From the PorZuncola and behold an aurel
came 10 him, and told him that Chli-t a nd the.
Virgin Mary, were waiting for him in the cha
pei. Francis obeycd the invitation and went
and Frustrated himself upon the earth, and
ioreI the majesty of the Most High and
Christ SAID to him, Francis, in recompense for
the zeal thou hast displayed for the salvation OF
souls, permit thee 10 ask of me whatever t:,ou
shalt desire, for the benefit Of souls and for the
glory OF my name Ard Francis being PROMPT
ed by the Virgin, humbly asked, that TO all
those who should enter that church, pardon ard
Indulgence for all their sins should DC frccI,.
granted, upon condition ofconcssjng them there
10 tue priest. And Jesus granted hi, request.
out commanded him to go to pegugia, 10 ms Vi
car, the Pope, anl to demand the indulgence in
his name"
In the month OF january, in the wear 1898.
two years after the giant OF tue indulgence, s..
Francis was in his Little cell near PcrziuucoIa.
'neditaung upon the passion o. his blessed Re-
decorating his own body with stripcs
when suddenly lie heard knock at the door,
and volcc,eXcIairnng, where is the necessity
OF 50 much modification? EuD are a vounr
man, AMI there Is time enough before Won TO
prepare for dcathn lie knew directly that il
IS satan, with one of his evil suggestions
AMI. IN order to prevail against him, he threw
himself naked into place full of thorns which,
was near at hand, and rolled himself about
A.nJag them, until every part of his bo.Iy was
rIcrcc; and covered with blood. Oh wonderful
prodigy ! All Of sudden, the pricillv bushe,
were changed INTO roses, rcd and white without
any tiOinS; the place illuminated with =
brilliant light, The saint was arraved in white
apparel, and multitude Of angels appeared.
who invited him to accompany them to the cha
pei where Christ was again waiting for him
"ith his most holy mother. Having plucIkcd
twelve red roses and twelve white, Francis.
by the angels, who spread their
wings over him, proceeded by patti which was
cover; with the most precious Stuff, 10 the 81
cred PurIuncola, where he saw, for the second
tune, jesus sitting upon one side oftle altar and
TIC IrgIn Mary upon the other" &c. &c.