At the beginning of the thirteenth century we are confronted by the anomaly of a church grossly corrupt but widely obeyed.  She is nearing the pinnacle of her power and the zenith of her glory, although the parochial clergy have sunk into vice and incapacity, and the monks, as a class, are lazy, ignorant and notoriously corrupt.  Two things, especially, command the attention,—­first, the immorality and laxity of the monks; and second, the growth of heresies and the tendency toward open schism.  The necessity of reform was clearly apprehended by the church as well as by the heretical parties, but, since the church had such a hold upon society, those who sought to reform the monasteries by returning to old beliefs and ancient customs were much more in favor than those who left the church and opposed her from the outside.  The impossibility of substantial, internal reform had not yet come to be generally recognized.  As time passed the conviction that it was of no use to attempt reforms from the inside gained ground; then the separatists multiplied, and the shedding of blood commenced.  The world had to learn anew that it was futile to put new wine into old bottles or to patch new cloth on an old garment.

“It is the privilege of genius,” says Trench, “to evoke a new creation, where to common eyes all appears barren and worn out.”  Francis and Dominic evoked this new creation; but although the monk now will appear in a new garb, he will prove himself to be about the same old character whom the world has known a great many years; when this discovery is made monasticism is doomed.  Perplexed Europe will anxiously seek some means of destruction, but God will have Luther ready to aid in the solution of the problem.

Francis Bernardone, 1182-1226 A.D..

Saint Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, was born at Assisi, a walled town of Umbria, in Italy.  His father, Peter Bernardone, or Bernardo, was in France on business when his son was born and named.  On his return, or, as some say, at a later time, he changed his son’s name from John to Francis.  His wealth enabled him to supply Francis with the funds necessary to maintain his leadership among gay companions.  Catholic writers are fond of describing the early years of their saints as marked by vice in order to portray them as miracles of grace.  It is therefore uncertain whether Francis was anything worse than a happy, joyous lad, who loved fine clothes, midnight songs and parties of pleasure.  He was certainly a very popular and courteous lad, very much in love with the world.  During a short service in the army he was taken prisoner.  After his release he fell sick, and experienced a temporary disgust with his past life.  With his renewed health his love of festivities and dress returned.