HOW THE HOLY BROTHER BERNARD OF ASSISI WAS SENT BY ST FRANCIS TO
BOLOGNA AND HOW HE FOUNDED A CONVENT THERE St Francis and his
companions, being called by God to carry the cross of Christ in
their hearts, to practise it in their lives, and to preach it by
their words, were truly crucified men both in their actions and
in their works. They sought after shame and contempt, out of
love for Christ, rather than the honours of the world, the
respect and praise of men. They rejoiced to be despised, and
were grieved when honoured. Thus they went about the world as
pilgrims and strangers, carrying nothing with them but Christ
crucified; and because they were of the true Vine, which is
Christ, they produced great and good fruits in many souls which
they gained to God. It happened that, in the beginning of the
Order, St Francis sent Brother Bernard to Bologna, there to
accomplish many good works, according to the grace which God had
given him. So Brother Bernard, making the holy sign of the
cross, in the name of holy ob