The Little Flowers and the Life of St. Francis, with the...

to wit, upon the exceeding great humility and poverty of the Son of God, calling his Religion that of brethren Minor out of his surpassing humility. Whence, at the beginning of the Religion, he would that the brethren should abide in the hospitals of the lepers to wait upon them, and there lay the foundation of holy humility. For since that both gentle and simple did come into the Order, among other things that were declared unto them, it was said that they needs must humbly be as servants unto the lepers and abide in their houses; as is contained in the first Rule: “Willing to have nought under heaven save only holy poverty, whereby they are nourished in this world by bodily and spiritual food, and in the world to come shall obtain their heavenly heritage.” And thus did he found himself, both for himself and for others, upon an exceedingly great humility and poverty, forasmuch as being one of most account in the Church of God, he did choose and will to be an underling, not only in the Church but even among his brethren. May this lowliness in his thought and his desire be his highest exaltation in the sight of God and man!