Friday, August 29, 2008

The man who had become a living prayer

Often, without moving his lips, St. Francis would meditate for a long time, and, concentrating, centring his external powers, he would rise in spirit to heaven. Thus, he directed his whole mind and affections to the one thing he was asking of God. He was not so much a man who prayed, as a man who had become a living prayer.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Thomas of Celano, Second Life - 95
with thanks to Portiuncula

I think we sometimes forget the depth of St. Francis' contemplative life!

1 comment:

St Edwards Blog said...

Francis, my namesake as it were, has been trivialized in some ways. He was also very active... but he was very, deeply contemplative as you point out.

This is to be remembered and held in the monastery of our own hearts.