Saint Francis of Assisi and the First Nativity Scene
Saint Francis of Assisi, the Christmas Manger
Fragments from the book Vita Prima by Thomas of Celano
The supreme aspiration of Francis, his most fervent desire and his highest purpose was to observe in all things and at all times
the Holy Gospel and to follow the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ in all steps with the utmost attention, with all care, with all
the yearning of his mind, with all the fervor of his heart. In asiduous meditation he remembered His words and with a most sharp
consideration he reviewed His works. He had so present, in his memory, the humility of the Incarnation and the charity of His Passion
that it was difficult for him to think about anything else.
Worthy of remembrance and celebration with pious memory, Francis did so before his glorious death, near Greccio, on the day of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that place lived a certain man by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life, whom blessed Francis loved with a singular love, for in the place where he lived he held a noble and honorable position in as much as he despised the nobility of his blood and aspired to the nobility of spirit.
Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he often did, about fifteen days before the birth of the Lord, and he said to him: "If you want us to celebrate this festivity of the Lord at Greccio, go with haste there and promptly prepare what I am going to tell you. I wish to celebrate the memory of the Child who was born in Bethlehem and I want to contemplate, in some way, with my own eyes, what he suffered in his discapacity as a child, how he was reclined on the manger and later was placed on hay between the ox and the donkey. Upon hearing this, the good and loyal man, ran in haste and prepared the place that the Lord had indicated.
The day arrives, a day of joy and exultation. Brothers were called from their various places. Men and women of that neighborhood, overflowing with joy, prepared, according to their means, candles and torches to light up that night that, with its sparkling star, lit up all the days and years.
At last, the Saint of God arrived and, seeing that all things were properly placed, he contemplated them and was overjoyed. The manger is prepared, the hay is brought in, and the ox and ass are led in. There simplicity receives honor, poverty is exalted, humility is valued, and Greccio is converted into a new Bethlehem.
The night is resplandecente like the day; a pleasant night for both men and animals. The people come and, before the new mystery, they savor new delights. The forest resounds with voices and the rocks respond to the hymns of joy. The brothers sing the praises of the Lord and the whole night passes with songs of happiness. The Saint of God is standing before the manger, overflowing with sighs, filled with overwhelming piety, melting in ineffable bliss. The solemn rite of the Mass is celebrated over the manger and the priest enjoys a most singular consolation.
The Saint of God is clothed with the vestments of the deacon, for he was one, and with a most sonorous voice he sings the Holy Gospel. His strong and sweet voice, his voice clear and with good timbre, invites all to the supreme rewards. Later he preaches to the people attending, and as much as when he speaks of the nativity of the poor King as well as the small village of Bethlehem, he expresses words that are felt as honey. Many times, when wanting to mention Christ Jesus, aflame with love, he calls Him "Child of Bethlehem" and pronounces it as "Bethleem", like a sheep that is bleating, and his mouth is full of a resounding voice; and even more so of a most tender affection. When he would call Him "Child of Bethlehem" or "Jesus" he spoke as if he was tasting and savoring with his palate the very sweetness of these words.
The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there; a virtuous man has an admirable vision. There was a child that, studiously absorbed, was reclined over the manger; the saint of God approaches and awakes him from what was like a deep somnolence. This vision does not lack sense, since the Child Jesus, buried by the forgetfulness of the hearts of many, resucitated by His grace, through his servant Francis; and his image remained imprinted in those hearts in love. Having ended the solemn vigil, all returned to their homes filled with abundant happiness.
The hay placed in the manger is preserved so that, just like the Lord multipled his Holy mercy, through Him donkeys and other animals would be cured. And this is what happened: many animals from the surrounding region that suffered diverse illnesses, by eating this hay, were cured. Moreoever, women with long and painful labors, gave birth happily once a little of this hay was placed over them. And the same happened with persons of both sexes: with that hay, they obtained their cure from diverse afflictions.
The place of the manger was later consecrated in the temple of the Lord: in honor of the most blessed father Francis, over the manger was built an altar and a Church was dedicated so that, where in another time the animals fed from the fodder of hay, there men would continuously eat, for the health of their souls and body, the flesh of the Immaculate and uncontaminated Lamb, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who gave Himself to us with the highest and ineffable love, and Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is God, eternally glorious, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluja, Alleluja.
(Here ends the first book about the life and acts of Blessed Saint Francis.)
Worthy of remembrance and celebration with pious memory, Francis did so before his glorious death, near Greccio, on the day of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that place lived a certain man by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life, whom blessed Francis loved with a singular love, for in the place where he lived he held a noble and honorable position in as much as he despised the nobility of his blood and aspired to the nobility of spirit.
Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he often did, about fifteen days before the birth of the Lord, and he said to him: "If you want us to celebrate this festivity of the Lord at Greccio, go with haste there and promptly prepare what I am going to tell you. I wish to celebrate the memory of the Child who was born in Bethlehem and I want to contemplate, in some way, with my own eyes, what he suffered in his discapacity as a child, how he was reclined on the manger and later was placed on hay between the ox and the donkey. Upon hearing this, the good and loyal man, ran in haste and prepared the place that the Lord had indicated.
The day arrives, a day of joy and exultation. Brothers were called from their various places. Men and women of that neighborhood, overflowing with joy, prepared, according to their means, candles and torches to light up that night that, with its sparkling star, lit up all the days and years.
At last, the Saint of God arrived and, seeing that all things were properly placed, he contemplated them and was overjoyed. The manger is prepared, the hay is brought in, and the ox and ass are led in. There simplicity receives honor, poverty is exalted, humility is valued, and Greccio is converted into a new Bethlehem.
The night is resplandecente like the day; a pleasant night for both men and animals. The people come and, before the new mystery, they savor new delights. The forest resounds with voices and the rocks respond to the hymns of joy. The brothers sing the praises of the Lord and the whole night passes with songs of happiness. The Saint of God is standing before the manger, overflowing with sighs, filled with overwhelming piety, melting in ineffable bliss. The solemn rite of the Mass is celebrated over the manger and the priest enjoys a most singular consolation.
The Saint of God is clothed with the vestments of the deacon, for he was one, and with a most sonorous voice he sings the Holy Gospel. His strong and sweet voice, his voice clear and with good timbre, invites all to the supreme rewards. Later he preaches to the people attending, and as much as when he speaks of the nativity of the poor King as well as the small village of Bethlehem, he expresses words that are felt as honey. Many times, when wanting to mention Christ Jesus, aflame with love, he calls Him "Child of Bethlehem" and pronounces it as "Bethleem", like a sheep that is bleating, and his mouth is full of a resounding voice; and even more so of a most tender affection. When he would call Him "Child of Bethlehem" or "Jesus" he spoke as if he was tasting and savoring with his palate the very sweetness of these words.
The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there; a virtuous man has an admirable vision. There was a child that, studiously absorbed, was reclined over the manger; the saint of God approaches and awakes him from what was like a deep somnolence. This vision does not lack sense, since the Child Jesus, buried by the forgetfulness of the hearts of many, resucitated by His grace, through his servant Francis; and his image remained imprinted in those hearts in love. Having ended the solemn vigil, all returned to their homes filled with abundant happiness.
The hay placed in the manger is preserved so that, just like the Lord multipled his Holy mercy, through Him donkeys and other animals would be cured. And this is what happened: many animals from the surrounding region that suffered diverse illnesses, by eating this hay, were cured. Moreoever, women with long and painful labors, gave birth happily once a little of this hay was placed over them. And the same happened with persons of both sexes: with that hay, they obtained their cure from diverse afflictions.
The place of the manger was later consecrated in the temple of the Lord: in honor of the most blessed father Francis, over the manger was built an altar and a Church was dedicated so that, where in another time the animals fed from the fodder of hay, there men would continuously eat, for the health of their souls and body, the flesh of the Immaculate and uncontaminated Lamb, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who gave Himself to us with the highest and ineffable love, and Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is God, eternally glorious, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluja, Alleluja.
(Here ends the first book about the life and acts of Blessed Saint Francis.)
Translated from the Spanish version of the work Vita Prima by Thomas of Celano;
Franciscan Province of the Holy Evangelium of Mexico -
franciscanosenmexico.com.mx
Saint Francis of Assisi, the Christmas Manger
Fragments from the book Vita Prima by Thomas of Celano
The supreme aspiration of Francis, his most fervent desire and his highest purpose was to observe in all things and at all times
the Holy Gospel and to follow the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ in all steps with the utmost attention, with all care, with all
the yearning of his mind, with all the fervor of his heart. In asiduous meditation he remembered His words and with a most sharp
consideration he reviewed His works. He had so present, in his memory, the humility of the Incarnation and the charity of His Passion
that it was difficult for him to think about anything else.
Worthy of remembrance and celebration with pious memory, Francis did so before his glorious death, near Greccio, on the day of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that place lived a certain man by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life, whom blessed Francis loved with a singular love, for in the place where he lived he held a noble and honorable position in as much as he despised the nobility of his blood and aspired to the nobility of spirit.
Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he often did, about fifteen days before the birth of the Lord, and he said to him: "If you want us to celebrate this festivity of the Lord at Greccio, go with haste there and promptly prepare what I am going to tell you. I wish to celebrate the memory of the Child who was born in Bethlehem and I want to contemplate, in some way, with my own eyes, what he suffered in his discapacity as a child, how he was reclined on the manger and later was placed on hay between the ox and the donkey. Upon hearing this, the good and loyal man, ran in haste and prepared the place that the Lord had indicated.
The day arrives, a day of joy and exultation. Brothers were called from their various places. Men and women of that neighborhood, overflowing with joy, prepared, according to their means, candles and torches to light up that night that, with its sparkling star, lit up all the days and years.
At last, the Saint of God arrived and, seeing that all things were properly placed, he contemplated them and was overjoyed. The manger is prepared, the hay is brought in, and the ox and ass are led in. There simplicity receives honor, poverty is exalted, humility is valued, and Greccio is converted into a new Bethlehem.
The night is resplandecente like the day; a pleasant night for both men and animals. The people come and, before the new mystery, they savor new delights. The forest resounds with voices and the rocks respond to the hymns of joy. The brothers sing the praises of the Lord and the whole night passes with songs of happiness. The Saint of God is standing before the manger, overflowing with sighs, filled with overwhelming piety, melting in ineffable bliss. The solemn rite of the Mass is celebrated over the manger and the priest enjoys a most singular consolation.
The Saint of God is clothed with the vestments of the deacon, for he was one, and with a most sonorous voice he sings the Holy Gospel. His strong and sweet voice, his voice clear and with good timbre, invites all to the supreme rewards. Later he preaches to the people attending, and as much as when he speaks of the nativity of the poor King as well as the small village of Bethlehem, he expresses words that are felt as honey. Many times, when wanting to mention Christ Jesus, aflame with love, he calls Him "Child of Bethlehem" and pronounces it as "Bethleem", like a sheep that is bleating, and his mouth is full of a resounding voice; and even more so of a most tender affection. When he would call Him "Child of Bethlehem" or "Jesus" he spoke as if he was tasting and savoring with his palate the very sweetness of these words.
The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there; a virtuous man has an admirable vision. There was a child that, studiously absorbed, was reclined over the manger; the saint of God approaches and awakes him from what was like a deep somnolence. This vision does not lack sense, since the Child Jesus, buried by the forgetfulness of the hearts of many, resucitated by His grace, through his servant Francis; and his image remained imprinted in those hearts in love. Having ended the solemn vigil, all returned to their homes filled with abundant happiness.
The hay placed in the manger is preserved so that, just like the Lord multipled his Holy mercy, through Him donkeys and other animals would be cured. And this is what happened: many animals from the surrounding region that suffered diverse illnesses, by eating this hay, were cured. Moreoever, women with long and painful labors, gave birth happily once a little of this hay was placed over them. And the same happened with persons of both sexes: with that hay, they obtained their cure from diverse afflictions.
The place of the manger was later consecrated in the temple of the Lord: in honor of the most blessed father Francis, over the manger was built an altar and a Church was dedicated so that, where in another time the animals fed from the fodder of hay, there men would continuously eat, for the health of their souls and body, the flesh of the Immaculate and uncontaminated Lamb, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who gave Himself to us with the highest and ineffable love, and Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is God, eternally glorious, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluja, Alleluja.
(Here ends the first book about the life and acts of Blessed Saint Francis.)
Worthy of remembrance and celebration with pious memory, Francis did so before his glorious death, near Greccio, on the day of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In that place lived a certain man by the name of John, of good reputation and an even better life, whom blessed Francis loved with a singular love, for in the place where he lived he held a noble and honorable position in as much as he despised the nobility of his blood and aspired to the nobility of spirit.
Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he often did, about fifteen days before the birth of the Lord, and he said to him: "If you want us to celebrate this festivity of the Lord at Greccio, go with haste there and promptly prepare what I am going to tell you. I wish to celebrate the memory of the Child who was born in Bethlehem and I want to contemplate, in some way, with my own eyes, what he suffered in his discapacity as a child, how he was reclined on the manger and later was placed on hay between the ox and the donkey. Upon hearing this, the good and loyal man, ran in haste and prepared the place that the Lord had indicated.
The day arrives, a day of joy and exultation. Brothers were called from their various places. Men and women of that neighborhood, overflowing with joy, prepared, according to their means, candles and torches to light up that night that, with its sparkling star, lit up all the days and years.
At last, the Saint of God arrived and, seeing that all things were properly placed, he contemplated them and was overjoyed. The manger is prepared, the hay is brought in, and the ox and ass are led in. There simplicity receives honor, poverty is exalted, humility is valued, and Greccio is converted into a new Bethlehem.
The night is resplandecente like the day; a pleasant night for both men and animals. The people come and, before the new mystery, they savor new delights. The forest resounds with voices and the rocks respond to the hymns of joy. The brothers sing the praises of the Lord and the whole night passes with songs of happiness. The Saint of God is standing before the manger, overflowing with sighs, filled with overwhelming piety, melting in ineffable bliss. The solemn rite of the Mass is celebrated over the manger and the priest enjoys a most singular consolation.
The Saint of God is clothed with the vestments of the deacon, for he was one, and with a most sonorous voice he sings the Holy Gospel. His strong and sweet voice, his voice clear and with good timbre, invites all to the supreme rewards. Later he preaches to the people attending, and as much as when he speaks of the nativity of the poor King as well as the small village of Bethlehem, he expresses words that are felt as honey. Many times, when wanting to mention Christ Jesus, aflame with love, he calls Him "Child of Bethlehem" and pronounces it as "Bethleem", like a sheep that is bleating, and his mouth is full of a resounding voice; and even more so of a most tender affection. When he would call Him "Child of Bethlehem" or "Jesus" he spoke as if he was tasting and savoring with his palate the very sweetness of these words.
The gifts of the Almighty are multiplied there; a virtuous man has an admirable vision. There was a child that, studiously absorbed, was reclined over the manger; the saint of God approaches and awakes him from what was like a deep somnolence. This vision does not lack sense, since the Child Jesus, buried by the forgetfulness of the hearts of many, resucitated by His grace, through his servant Francis; and his image remained imprinted in those hearts in love. Having ended the solemn vigil, all returned to their homes filled with abundant happiness.
The hay placed in the manger is preserved so that, just like the Lord multipled his Holy mercy, through Him donkeys and other animals would be cured. And this is what happened: many animals from the surrounding region that suffered diverse illnesses, by eating this hay, were cured. Moreoever, women with long and painful labors, gave birth happily once a little of this hay was placed over them. And the same happened with persons of both sexes: with that hay, they obtained their cure from diverse afflictions.
The place of the manger was later consecrated in the temple of the Lord: in honor of the most blessed father Francis, over the manger was built an altar and a Church was dedicated so that, where in another time the animals fed from the fodder of hay, there men would continuously eat, for the health of their souls and body, the flesh of the Immaculate and uncontaminated Lamb, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who gave Himself to us with the highest and ineffable love, and Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit and is God, eternally glorious, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluja, Alleluja.
(Here ends the first book about the life and acts of Blessed Saint Francis.)
Translated from the Spanish version of the work Vita Prima by Thomas of Celano;
Franciscan Province of the Holy Evangelium of Mexico -
franciscanosenmexico.com.mx
Prayer to Bless the Family Manger
Oh God, Celestial Holy Father,
who has loved mankind so much,
that you sent them Your
Only-begotten Son,
born from You before all ages.
Deign to bless this Manger,
that will be the joy
of this Christian family.
May these images of the mystery
of the Incarnation
sustain the faith of its parents
and grownups,
reawaken the hope of the children
and increase love, in all.
We ask you all this through Jesus,
Your most beloved Son,
Who has saved us with His death
and Resurrection,
and who incessantly pleads for us
before You. Amen.
Saint Francis of Assisi and the First Nativity Scene
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The Apostolic Blessing by the Holy See in Rome is bestowed (October 28, 2013)
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