GOD REVEALS TO SAINT CLARE AND BROTHER SYLVESTER THAT SAINT FRANCIS MUST PREACH
In the beginning of his conversion, at a time when Saint Francis had already gathered several followers, he found himself struggling with a great doubt: should he spend his time in constant prayer, should he sometimes go out preaching. He very much wanted to know what would best please the Lord Jesus Christ.
And holy humility would not allow Saint Francis to decide this in advance for himself; he turned to the safe haven of others, so that by their prayers he might discover God’s good pleasure. So he called Brother Masseo, and said to him: “My dear brother, go to Clare, and tell her for me that she, along with one of her spiritual companions should beg God on bended knee to show me whether I should sometimes preach, or constantly spend time in prayer. Go also to Brother Sylvester who is staying on Mount Subasio and tell him the same thing.”
This was that same Lord Sylvester who saw a gold cross coming from the mouth of Francis as high as the heavens and as wide as the ends of the earth. He was a man of such great holiness and grace that whatever he asked was immediately granted. The Holy Spirit had made him uniquely worthy of conversation with God, and for this reason Saint Francis held him in great devotion and had great faith in him. This saintly Brother Sylvester was staying by himself in that place.
As he had been ordered by Saint Francis, Brother Masseo first brought the message to Blessed Clare, and then to Brother Sylvester. Brother Sylvester immediately went to pray, and when he prayed, he immediately received an answer from God. He quickly came out to Brother Masseo and said: “God says this: ‘You tell Brother Francis I did not call him only for himself, but so that he might produce a harvest of souls and that through him many might be won.’ “
After this, Brother Masseo went back to Saint Clare to find out what she had received from the Lord. She said that both she and her companion got an answer from the Lord similar in every way to Brother Sylvester’s answer.
So Brother Masseo returned to Saint Francis. The saint received him with charity, washing his feet and preparing a meal. When the food had been eaten, he called Brother Masseo into the woods, and, baring his head, crossing his hands and kneeling he asked: “What does our Lord Jesus Christ wish me to do?” Brother Masseo answered that the blessed Christ’s answer to Brother Sylvester and to Sister Clare and her companion was the same: “He wants you to go out preaching, because God did not call you only for yourself, but also for the salvation of others.”
Then the hand of the Lord came over Saint Francis. In a fervor of spirit he rose up completely on fire with the power of the Most High, and said: “In the name of the Lord, let’s go!”
He took Brother Masseo and Brother Angelo as his companions, both holy men. He went like a thunderbolt driven in spirit, paying no attention to road or path, until they came to a town called Cannara. There he preached with such fervor, and by a miracle swallows kept silent at his command, so all the people of Cannara, men and women, wanted to leave the town and follow him.
However, Saint Francis said to them: “Don’t be hasty! I will arrange what you should do for your salvation.” From that time on he thought about making a Third Order for the salvation of everyone everywhere.
OFS Ongoing 