‘Overcoming ourselves is the only thing for which we can take credit because it is the only thing to which we can make any contribution.’ Photo: Saint Francis in Meditation with Brother Leo, Adam de Coster, c1626
Pride and joy: Tony D’Souza relates another tale from The Little Flowers of St Francis
‘This story is a jewel of Franciscan spirituality because it is so simple.’
by Tony D’Souza
4th February 2022
It was the depth of winter when Francis of Assisi and his secretary and confessor Leo set out from Perugia to Saint Mary of the Angels. They walked barefoot, and the bitter wind whipped at the tattered rags they were wearing. Francis had to call out loudly to be heard by Leo who was walking only few steps ahead, ‘Leo, if it were to please God that the friars should give in every land a great example of holiness and instruction, write down, and note carefully, that this would not be perfect joy.’
