Читать книгу The Way of St Francis. Via di Francesco: From Florence to Assisi and Rome онлайн

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With his health in continued decline, Francis returned to La Verna, then Montecasale, and finally to Assisi. He visited with his colleague, Clare, and in a hut outside San Damiano he finalized the rule of his order and finished his immortal song, the Canticle of Brother Sun.

On 3 October 1226, at the Porziuncola, Francis died, surrounded by weeping followers and thousands of devotees. On his body were discovered the stigmata, which startled his followers and lent added wonder to the multiplying stories and legends of his life. In less than two years he was declared a saint and construction began on a church at Assisi in his honor. At the completion of its lower level, the body of Francis was interred at the new Basilica of San Francesco.

Some have called Francis of Assisi the most successful follower of Jesus Christ, fulfilling in the most meticulous way Jesus’ call to simplicity, poverty and prayer. In practical terms his life, ministry and legacy steered the church back toward care of the poor and needy.