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Imprimatur FATHER SAMUEL MACKE O.F.M. Min. Prov. St. Louis
September 1, 1917
Nihil obstat ARTHUR J. SCANLAN, S.T.D. Censur Librarum
Imprimatur JOHN CARDINAL FARLEY New York
This Jubilee Edition of the Life and Legends of St. Francis of Assisi
is Respectfully Dedicated to all Members of the Third Order in the
City of Cleveland and Vicinity, above all, to the Nobel Patrons and
Zealous Workers of Our Tertiary Branches.
The Life and Legends of St. Francis of Assisi by Father CandideChalippe, O.F.M., need no apology. The work was first published atParis in 1727. It is not only well written and reliable withal, butalso instructive, elevating and inspiring. The facts and legendsmentioned are drawn from the oldest and most reliable sources. Theabundance of incidents and anecdotes not to be found elsewhere makethe volume eminently interesting, while the reflexions and applicationswhich the author now and then interweaves with the narrative are soreplete with practical hints on spiritual life, that they willundoubtedly produce the best spiritual results in the reader. The stylethough simple, at times graphic, is very pleasing; the narrative flowson with equal ease and freedom.
In 1852 a priest from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri made a translationinto English from what was then the latest French edition. This Frenchedition came from the press in 1850. With the English translation theoriginal work appeared in an abridged form. The original work is dividedinto six books, the English translation contains but half of these,so rearranged for the sake of clearness that they form five books.Most elucidations of the original work regarding characteristics ofSt. Francis, events and dates that are doubtful, are omitted, likewisemost of the writings of St. Francis. The former were and still areundergoing changes, owing to new historical researches and discoveriesmade by students of Franciscan sources, while the latter were butlately again newly translated into English and edited as completelyas possible with many critical notes and references of great value bythe scholarly Father Paschal Robinson, O.F.M.—The Writings of St.Francis of Assisi by Father Paschal Robinson, O.F.M. The Dolphin Press,1906.
The marvellous progress the Third Order of St. Francis is making inthis country causes the story of the life of St. Francis that isherewith presented to the public in a newly revised edition to beespecially welcome. For all Tertiaries know that mere devotion to St.Francis is of itself not sufficient to acquire the spirit of theirSeraphic Father; all are aware that membership in the Third Order doesnot necessarily argue the possession of this spirit—and yet, everyreal Tertiary desires nothing more than to acquire the poor, humble,loving spirit of St. Francis. This spirit can scarcely be acquired,unless the life of St. Francis be well known, meditated upon andimitated as far as practicable. The Life and Legends of St. Francisof Assisi by Father Candide Chalippe, O.F.M., is peculiarly adaptedto help Tertiaries to perform this task; the spirit of St. Francisbreathes in every page. Not once, but several times may Tertiariesread this book to great advantage. With every