Feast of BLESSED FRANCUS

Although no longer included within the Carmelite calendar, the feast of Blessed Francus Lippi is still listed in the 2004 edition of the “Martyrologium Romanum”, and occurs on the traditional date of December 11th. The Martyrology adds that Bl. Francus died around 1292.

PRAYER.

O GOD! who showest thine omnipotence above all 
by Sparing and having mercy, 
graciously grant that, 
as Thou didst call to Thy heavenly kingdom 
Blessed Francus, the Carmelite, 
who Was glorious by his merits, 
we too may be freed, 
through his merits and prayers, 
from the stain of our sins. 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

LESSON IV.

Francus was born of pious and respectable parents in a village named Grotto, in the district of Sienna. His mother saw him in a Vision, like a shapeless monster which was formed by degrees into a man, and the result proved the truth of the vision; for after the death of his parents he stained his soul with many crimes. By a decree of divine Providence he was struck blind in the midst of his evil deeds, for he had in fact abused his eyes by showing contempt for God. Thus punished by the loss of sight, his better self awoke, and he made a painful journey to the church of Saint James of Compostella, where his sight was perfectly restored. He visited celebrated churches in other parts of the world after making a journey to Rome, where Gregory the Tenth gave him a full pardon of his sins. While on his pilgrimage he lived upon bread and water throughout Lent, and upon the roots of herbs on Fridays and Saturdays. When the journey was over and he had gone back to Sienna, he led an austere life in solitude, wearing an iron chain for a girdle. His teaching and example led many to the practice of rigid penance.

LESSON V.

The demon of sensuality used to prick with his sting God’s unconquered athlete. One day when the temptation was very strong, he chastised his body with cruel stripes, threw himself upon thorns, and then into a tank filled with water, cold as ice. While he was fighting so bravely to protect his chastity, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, and told him to put on the Carmelite habit, which she showed to him. Francus was about to obey her commands, and was getting ready to be clothed by the Prior of the monastery in Sienna, when the habit which he was to put on was publicly brought to him by an angel. He received it with the rank of Lay Brother, and he made extraordinary progress in monastic discipline, bringing his body under the control of the will by means of such severity that he kept almost every member bound with an iron belt. Once on a certain Friday, when he was absorbed in deep contemplation of the Passion of Christ, the Lord appeared to him as He was when nailed to the Cross. The blood was pouring freely from His head, crowned with thorns, and from the wounds in His body, and He said to Francus: “See, Francus, what I suffer for man’s sake, while he shows no gratitude for so great sufferings.” Francus burst into tears at the sight, and upon hearing these words he scourged himself unto blood with an iron chain. From that time forward, he was in the habit of carrying in his hand the image of Christ Crucified.

LESSON VI.

Far from being puffed up by the favor of the Blessed Virgin, who appeared to him many times, he day by day brought himself under Subjection by a harsher rule of life, by scourging himself with thorns and brambles, by bearing heat and cold, and by wearing an iron helmet and a heavy coat of mail, as though he were worthy of the most severe punishment. So fond was he of silence that he always carried a leaden bullet in his mouth, and he would gladly undertake the lowest duties even when they were not laid upon him. Remarkable above all for his charity, he was honored with the gift of prophecy, as well as by miracles which took place during his life, at the time of his death, and after his death. On the eleventh day of December, in the year twelve hundred and ninety-one, towards nightfall, as Francus was lying in a violent fever, the clouds which had hid the light of day were suddenly scattered, and the Carmelite monastery seemed to be on fire with an extraordinary brightness. Thus in presence of the whole Brotherhood praying by his side, the good monk, lifting up his hands. and eyes to Heaven, breathed forth his soul with these words: “ Peace be with you, my brethren, and Thou, O Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit.” At once there was heard the song of angels, carrying his soul to heaven, and the light faded away. Finally, the holy man was raised to the ranks of the Blessed by Clement the Fifth, and his feast is celebrated by the people of Sienna with great devotion.

Taken from the book “Saints of Carmel” (BOSTON: JOHN CASHMAN & CO., 1896).