among the stars, for it was dark, a torch of flame very beautiful and bright, which, coming down from the sky, rested on St. Francis’s head.  So, thinking himself unworthy to behold so sweet a vision, he softly turned away for to go to his cell again.  And as he was going softly, deeming himself unseen, St. Francis was aware of him by the rustling of the leaves under his feet.  Surely, even to the most doubtful, that sound of the rustling leaves must bring conviction.  Then St. Francis explains to brother Leo all that this might mean.

“And as he thus continued a long time in prayer, he came to know that God would hear him, and that so far as was possible for the mere creature, so far would it be granted him to feel the things aforesaid....  And as he was thus set on fire in his contemplation on that same morn, he saw descend from heaven a Seraph with six wings resplendent and aflame, and as with swift flight the Seraph drew nigh unto St. Francis so that he could discern him, he clearly saw that he bore in him the image of a man crucified; and his wings were in such guise displayed that two wings were spread above his head, and two were spread out to fly, and other two covered all his body.  Seeing this, St. Francis was sore adread, and was filled at once with joy and grief and marvel.  He felt glad at the gracious look of Christ, who appeared to him so lovingly, and gazed on him so graciously; but, on the other hand, seeing Him crucified upon the cross, he felt immeasurable grief for pity’s sake....  Then the whole mount of Alvernia appeared as though it burned with bright shining flames that lit up all the mountains and valleys round as though it had been the sun upon the earth; whereby the shepherds that were keeping watch in these parts, seeing the mountains aflame, and so great a light around, had exceeding great fear, according as they afterwards told unto the brothers, declaring that this flame rested upon the mount of Alvernia for the space of an hour and more.  In like manner at the bright shining of this light, which through the windows lit up the hostels of the country round, certain muleteers that were going into Romagna arose, believing that the day had dawned, and saddled and laded their beasts; and going on their way, they saw the said light die out and the material sun arise.  In the seraphic vision, Christ, the which appeared to him, spake to St. Francis certain high and secret things, the which St. Francis in his lifetime desired not to reveal to any man; but after his life was done he did reveal them, as it set forth below; and the words were these:  ‘Knowest thou,’ said Christ, ’what it is that I have done unto thee?  I have given thee the Stigmata that are the signs of My Passion, to the end that thou mayest be My standard-bearer.  And even as in the day of My death I descended into hell and brought out thence all souls that I found there by reason of these My Stigmata:  even so do I grant to thee that every year on the day of thy death thou shalt go to Purgatory,