g in
some sort orphans, but Francis arose, and, clasping his hands,
with eyes upraised to heaven: "Lord," he said, "I return to thee
this family which thou hast confided to me. Now, as thou
knowest, most sweet Jesus, I have no longer strength nor ability
to keep on caring for them; I confide them, therefore, to the
ministers. May they be responsible before thee at the day of
judgment if any brother, by their negligence or bad example, or
by a too severe discipline, should ever wander away."[17]

The functions of Pietro di Catana were destined to continue but a very
short time; he died on March 10, 1221.[18]

Information abounds as to this period of a few months; nothing is more
natural, since Francis remained at Portiuncula to complete the task
confided to him, living there surrounded with brethren who later on
would recall to mind all the incidents of which they were witnesses.
Some of them reveal the conflict of which his soul was the arena.
Desirous of showing himself submissive, he nevertheless found himself
tormented by the desire to shake off his chains and fly away as in
former days, to live and breathe in God alone. The following artless
record deserves, it seems to me, to be better known.[19]

One day a novice who could read the psalter, though not without
difficulty, obtained from the minister general--that is to say,
from the vicar of St. Francis--permission to have one. But as he
had learned that St. Francis desired the brethren to be covetous
neither for learning nor for books, he would not take his psalter
without his consent. So, St. Francis having come to the monastery
where the novice was, "Father," said he, "it would be a great
consolation to have a psalter; but though the minister-general
has authorized me to get it, I would not have it unknown to you."
"Look at the Emperor Charles," replied St. Francis with fire,
"Roland, and Oliver and all the paladins, valorous heroes and
gallant knights, who gained their famous victories in fighting
infidels, in toiling and laboring even unto death! The holy
martyrs, they also have chosen to die in the midst of battle for
the faith of Christ! But now there are many of those who aspire
to merit honor and glory simply by relating their feats. Yes,
among us also there are many who expect to receive glory and
honor by reciting and preaching the works of the saints, as if
they