The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-21
ROM1sH LEGENDS.
From the Rev. w. s. Gilley's Narrative in Pied
mont. London, 1894.

From the heV. W >. Gliley NalrAtiNS All AiSo
mont. London, 1924
In the course Of my excursion, last year, /!
paid visit to the celebrated church and
convent Of Madonna degli Angel, called Por-
ziuncola, near Assist. One of the monks con-
Quoted me through the various scenes OF the
miracles of St. Francis, the founder OF MS
order, and kept entertaining me with LEGENDS
many of which should really have suppos-
ed were the hctions of his own brain, II ne
had not afterwards presented me with
small book, published by the Pote,s antho.
ritz, and containing full history Of all that
Saints marvellous adventures. 1t has gone
through twelve editions, and processes to be
written for 'sthe instruction Of the deyout,
and especially of pilgrims who visit the holy
Porzuncola.'' The following is literal
translation of two Of these prepostcrous tales
to which have alluded.
at was in the year 1921, and in the month
Of October, that the holy father, St. Francis,
was praying enc night very earnestly for sim
ners, in his own habitation, distant about for
ty PAGES from the Porzuncola; and behold
an angel came to him and told him that
Christ and the Virgin Mary, were waiting
for him in the chapel. Francis obeyed the
invitation, and went and prostrated himself
upon the earth, and adored 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, !
permitithee to ask of me whatever thou shalt
desire, for the benefit OF souls, and TOR the
glory of nv name.' And Francis, being
prompted by the Virgin, humbly asked, that
all those who should humbly enter that
church. pardon and indulgence for all their
sins should be freely granted, upon condition
Of confessing them there to the priest. And
Jesus granted his request, but commanded
him to go to Perugia, to his vicar, the Pope,
and to demand the indulgence i'll his name
.sIn the month of January, in the year
1928, two years after the grant OF the in
diligence, ST. Francis was in his cell near the
Porziuncola, meditating upon the passion Of
his blessed Redeemer, and lascerating his
own body with stripes, when suddenly he
heard knock at the door, and a voice ex-
claiming, where is the necessity OF SO muct
notification You are young man, ant
there is time enough before you to prepare
for death!' He knew directly that it wa
Satan, with one of his evil suggestions; am
in order to prevail against him, he threN
himself naked into place full Of thorn
which was near at hand, and rolled hmsel
about among them, until every part OF HI
body was pierced and covered with blood
Oni WONDERFUL proulSy: All oi 9uaue'
the prickly bushes were changed into roses
red and white. without any thorns; the plac
was illuminated with brilliant light, tn
saint was arrayed in white apparel, and
multitude Of angels appeared, who invite
him to accompany them tothe chapel, wher
Christ was again awaiting for him, with hi
most holy mother. Having plucked twelv
red roses, and twelve white, Francis, SUI
rounded by the angels, who spread thei
wings over him, proceeded by path whic
was covered with the most precious stuff
to the Porziuncola, where he saw, for til
second time, Jesus sitting upon one side Of tn
altar, and the Virgin Mary upon the othsF'