St. Francis and the Three Poor Women
"Once when St. Francis was on the road, three poor women suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were so similar in stature, age, and appearance that you would think a threefold matter had become perfect in a single form. Then as St. Francis approached them, they bowed reverently and saluted him with a new name: 'Welcome, Lady Poverty.' Then the saint was filled with indescribable joy, because there was nothing he would rather have others call him than what these women had decided upon. And because he thought these were but three poor women, he turned to the physician who was accompanying him and said, 'I ask you, for the love of God, to give me something to give thee poor women.' The doctor immediately took out some money, got down from his horse, and gave something to each of the women. After that St. Francis and his brothers and the physician went on their way. But then, after going only a short distance, they turned around saw nothing of the women--the plain was completely empty. They were all stunned and realized that what had happened was a miracle, for they who'd flown away more swiftly than birds were not women." --Celano, Second Life, 93
It is no surprise that Francis was visited in this way for he was one to be open to such occurrences. We, too, must be open and expecting, if we are to have miracles.
"Once when St. Francis was on the road, three poor women suddenly appeared out of nowhere. They were so similar in stature, age, and appearance that you would think a threefold matter had become perfect in a single form. Then as St. Francis approached them, they bowed reverently and saluted him with a new name: 'Welcome, Lady Poverty.' Then the saint was filled with indescribable joy, because there was nothing he would rather have others call him than what these women had decided upon. And because he thought these were but three poor women, he turned to the physician who was accompanying him and said, 'I ask you, for the love of God, to give me something to give thee poor women.' The doctor immediately took out some money, got down from his horse, and gave something to each of the women. After that St. Francis and his brothers and the physician went on their way. But then, after going only a short distance, they turned around saw nothing of the women--the plain was completely empty. They were all stunned and realized that what had happened was a miracle, for they who'd flown away more swiftly than birds were not women." --Celano, Second Life, 93
It is no surprise that Francis was visited in this way for he was one to be open to such occurrences. We, too, must be open and expecting, if we are to have miracles.
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