Francis finally returned to repair the church of St. Damian.  The people derided, even stoned him, but he had learned to rejoice in abuse.  They did not know of what stern stuff their fellow-townsman was made.  He bore all their insults meekly, and persevered in his work, carrying stones with his own hands and promising the blessing of God on all who helped him in his joyful task.  His kindness and smiles melted hatred; derision turned to admiration.  “Many were moved to tears,” says his biographers, “while Francis worked on with cheerful simplicity, begging his materials, stone by stone, and singing psalms about the streets.”

Two years after his conversion, or in 1208, while kneeling in the church of Sta.  Maria dei Angeli, he heard the words of Christ:  “Provide neither gold nor silver nor brass in your purses, neither two coats nor shoes nor staff, but go and preach.”  Afterwards, when the meaning of these words was explained to him, he exclaimed:  “This is what I seek for!” He threw away his wallet, took off his shoes, and replaced his leather girdle by a cord.  His hermit’s tunic appearing too delicate, he put on a coarse, gray robe, reaching to his feet, with sleeves that came down over his fingers; to this he added a hood, covering his head and face.  Clothing of this character he wore to the end of his life.  This was in 1208, which is regarded as the first year of the Order of St. Francis.  The next year Francis gave this habit to those who had joined him.

So the first and chief of Franciscan friars, unattended by mortal companions, went humbly forth to proclaim the grandeur and goodness of a God, who, according to monastic teaching, demands penance and poverty of his creatures as the price of his highest favor and richest blessings.  Nearly seven hundred long years have passed since that eventful day, but the begging Brothers of Francis still traverse those Italian highways over which the saint now journeyed with meek and joyous spirit.

“He was not yet far distant from his rising Before he had begun to make the earth Some comfort from his mighty virtue feel.  For he in youth his father’s wrath incurred For certain Dame, to whom, as unto death, The gate of pleasure no one doth unlock; And was before his spiritual court Et coram patre unto her united; Then day by day more fervently he loved her.

* * * * *

     But that too darkly I may not proceed,
     Francis and Poverty for these two lovers
     Take thou henceforward in my speech diffuse.”

     —­Dante.