The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-18
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Translated from the French fss tLe !Youag Crusader
THE YOUNG FRANCISCAN.
s.sr t.4 4 lCOnCluded.I

/
THE YOUNG FRANCISCAN.
| lConcludedI
! One morning, three years after the seen.
welhave just related, al the baron was pre-
pairing to set out on great hunting party,
lElie entered the chamber.
| 81 see by your manner, my son, that you
have some request to make" said the sene-
chal, as the boy approached and stood be.
| fore him with bowed head.
81 came to request the performance OF
your promise, my lord and father" replied
Ellie, firmly.
"What promise Z" asked the baron, while
he seemed to try to recall something to his
mind. !'i1' 80
"That of permitting me to retire from
the world" said Ellie. ~ have chosen tn c
convent of Saint Francis of Assisium."
GA gentleman must keep his promise,
consequently your request is granted" re-
piled the baron, "when do you wish to
leave us 2"
CAT once, now," answered Ellie, without
hesitation.
"stay," said his father, "the son of a
senechal and lieutenant of the king, must
not leave his home for a convent unattend-
ded, like the son of vassal; you must have
an escort suitable to your rank"
Ellie retired in silence, as his father signi-
fed his desire to be alone, and going at
once to the castle chapel he threw himself
on his knees before the altar where he re-
NAMED long in earnest prayer.
The baron having consulted with his wife,
it was decided that Ellie should be allowed
to enter the convent he had chosen.
On the day of his departure all the no.
bility of tho province assembled to bid the
boy farewell; and numerous company of
hOrsemen were in attendance to escort him
to his pious destination.
AS the clock struck ten the baroness ap-
peared at the principal entrance to the
castle, surrounded by her ladies, while
near her stood the senechal in his robes of
office.
Ellie, in the midst of his brothers and sis
tiers, soon joined the assembled group. He
was bare headed, and clad in a long white
loosely to his feet.
AS soon as he perceived his mother he
advanced to her and, kneeling at her feet,
said:
"Bless your youngest SOD, my dearest
MOTHER
The baroness did as he requested, then
turning to tho attendants said:
"Let my sons equipage be led FORTH"
Almost Immediately appeared magnif-
cent horse, richly caparisOned, and led by
gentleman of noble family.
ga horse, oh, no, my mother" cried Ellie,
III wish only for an ass"
"You forget, Ellie, may son." replied the
the dignity of the son of powerful lord"
"Since yesterday, madame" replid the
boy, 81 have bid farewell to all the honOrs,
all the riches, and all the vanities of the
world. l belong to the poor and lowly."
'But why do you select an ass in place
of horse ?" asked the baroness.
"Because, mother, l am about to enter
the order of Friar Minors of Saint Francis"
replied Ellie.
''Well, what has an ass to do with Saint
Francis Z" asked the baroness again.
at is in accordance with the life of the
saint"
.Truly, my son, you speak so wise that
YOU ought to make those ladies acquainted
with the leading facts in the life of the
Saint" said the baron.
81 will do so with pleasure, my lord and
father" replied the boy, and turning to the
assembly, he addressed them as follows:
"Saint Francis of Assisium was born at
in the year 1882. He was b'ptized John
and received the name Franci,, ar Francois,
because he spoke the French i,uGaage so
fluently. His father, Peter, Or l''vtvo Bar
nardone, was u merchant, and after giving
his son good education, took him into
his own business, but young Francis VAS
fonder of pleasure than of trade, and pr
some time led a life of dissipation. But
God had given him great detachment
from the things of the world, and a tender
for the poor. One day as he
was riding he met a poor leper whose ap-
pearapce disguised him 80 much, that he
;urned his horse in order not to pass the
wretched man, but Immediately struck by
The feeling, that he was doing wrong, and
hat the leper was brother in Christ, he
'etraced his steps, dismounted from his
,orse, saluted the man affectionately, and
rave him an aims.
"Afterwards helvisited the hospital for |
thntrf p<,
md wiping and kissing their sores, and
alking to Them of God. His piety led him
o make pilgrimage to Rome, to visit the
ombs of the Apostles, Saint Peter and
faint Paul. AS he came out of the church,
e saw number of poor people wretchedly
lothed, and feeling ashamed of his own
ich apparel, he begged one of the most
jagged among them to exchange clothes
With him, he then retired into wood ana
enouncing the heritage of his father, he
esolved to live entirely on aims.
He begged for his own living and for
1eans to repair churches, laboring on them
s a common workman, he repaired the
llurches of Saint Damien, and Saint Peter,
ear his native city. There was also, III the
anne place an old church dedicated to the
Queen of Angels which was for long time
isused and was in such a ruinous condl-
ion that it served only as a shelter for the
hepherds and their tiocks. Saint Francis
ppaired this church and made 1T the usual
lace of his devotions. He had spent two
ears here in signs and tears, when hearing
ne day those words of Christ: "Do not
,rru 1oI1 mr. sjIuer Or a. scrip for uOur iOur-