FLORENTINE LAUDA TO ST FRANCIS

URSULA BETKA
 
 

Sia laudato san Francesco, qué che aparve crucifixo come Redemptore A Cristo configurato, de le piache fue signato inperciò che avea portato scripto in core lo suo amore. Molti messi avea mandate la divina Maiestate, et le genti predicate come dicon le Scripture. Intra quali non fue trovato nullo privilegiato, d'arme nuove corredato, cavaliere a tanto honore. A La Verna, monte sancto, stava 'l sancto con gran pianto; lo qual pianto torno in canto il seraphyno consolatore. Quando fu da Dio mandato san Francesco lo beato, il mondo ki era intenebrato recevette gran splendore. Per divino spiramento fugli dato intendimento di salvare da perdimento molti ch'eran peccatori.1

Let Saint Francis be praised, the one who bore the marks of crucifixion like the Redeemer.  Made to resemble Christ,  he was branded with His wounds,  because he had carried  the love for Him written in his heart. The Divine Majesty  had sent many messengers,  and peoples were evangelized  as the Scriptures say.  Among them no other  privileged knight was found,  equipped with new arms  in such an honourable way.  On the holy mount of La Verna  the holy man was weeping copiously;  the comforting seraphim  turned that weeping into a song.  When blessed Saint Francis  was sent by God,  the world, that was in the darkness,  received great splendour.  By divine inspiration  he was given the aspiration  to save from perdition  many sinners.2

Giovanni Bellini, St Francis in Ecstasy, Mont'Averna, New York, Frick Gallery and Art Reference Library

This lauda is illustrated in Florence BNC BR 18 and BR 19 with an image of the saint receiving the Stigmata at La Verna.3

  1BR 18, L.87. Wilson and Barbieri, The Florence Laudario, p.xciv.
  2Translation provided by Wilson and Barbieri, The Florence Laudario, p.xciv
  3Laudario of Santo Spirito, Br 18, L.87; Laudario of Sant'Egidio, BR 19, L.82

At Assisi, in the Basilica's Treasury, they treasure St Francis' patched and ragged habit:

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