ST FRANCIS WAS GIVEN THE THRONE LUCIFER LOST

 

St Francis had a follower, Brother Pacificus who was like a faithful little dog. But Pacificus was also a talented singer, called "Doctor of Song". He did not have to become a Franciscan friar, he could have become a celebrated minstrel in Italy of the 1200s. 

One night Francis instructed Pacificus to go and tend to the lepers, while he was to stay in the chapel and rest. Pacificus hurried off in his sandals. While Francis tried to relax, he was pestered by demonic temptations. He feared he'd fall so he ran from the church and making the sign of the Cross, he invited their bodily attack, "On the part of Almighty God I command you, O demons to do to my body all the Lord Jesus Christ permits you to do. And since I have no more inveterate enemy than this body of mine, avenge me on this my adversary."

The next morning, Pacificus returned and went beside Francis in the church. To Pacificus's utter surprise he was lifted in spirit and taken into Heaven. There he saw many seats and one raised higher than the others. This throne was glorious and embellished with jewels. A voice instructed him, "This was the seat of Lucifer and in his place will be seated the humble Francis." 

When Pacificus returned to earth, he fell to the ground beside Francis, who had an intuition that Pacificus had had a remarkable vision, and so he raised him up. Pacificus had been shown that which Lucifer lost through pride and which was to be Francis's for all eternity. The grand irony that Francis went from unholy to holy while Lucifer went from being the brightest angel to being the prince of darkness. On that faithful morning, St Francis himself did not see the throne that glittered with gems that awaited him. The Lord was safeguarding his most special humility. 

Moments after the vision this was evidenced. Pacificus asked Francis, "What do you think of yourself?" Francis replied, "I am a greater sinner than anyone in the world.."

What joy - the Francis on his jewel encrusted throne is being honored by Pope Leo who has just declared this year will be dedicated to the 800th year anniversary of St Francis's death in 1226. 

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This post was informed by Brother Leo of Assisi's work, The Mirror of Perfection, (Burns and Oates, 1902), pages 81-81

You may read the entirety of Mirror, here. 

The classic painting was executed by Giotto di Bandone.