The Francis Trilogy of Thomas of Celano

Book excerpt: Within two years after the death of Francis of Assisi, Thomas of Celano composed The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, a portrait of the newly canonized Umbrian: a saint who easily met all the criteria needed for canonization and walked in the footsteps of Martin, Benedict, Bernard, Malachy, and so many others. Less than twenty years later, Thomas used his literary skills once more. In many ways, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, his second portrait of Francis, exceeded his first as the friar unleashed his poetic powers to capture the wonder and especially the uniqueness of the saint’s life and vision. Hardly had this work become known, when Thomas composed a comprehensive, orderly view of Francis’s miracles, The Treatise on the Miracles. The three classic works appear here for the first time in one volume. “Thomas of Celano's early literary portraits of Francis bring us into intimate contact with the Poor Man of Assisi. These works exhibit that rare combination of charm and profundity. Every lover of Francis will treasure this volume.” Lawrence S. Cunningham John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology The University of Notre Dame