The Writings of Francis of Assisi: Letters and Prayers

Contents

CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................. vii Dedication and Acknowledgements .............................................................. xii Abbreviations ......................................................................................................... xiii Contributors ...........................................................................................................xvii Part One The Writings of Francis of Assisi and His Brothers Chapter One: Manuscript Tradition Luigi Pellegrini The Transmission of the Writings of Brother Francis .................................21 Chapter Two: Autographs ...................................................................................51 Jean François Godet-Calogeras 1. The Chartula of Assisi ......................................................................................53 a. The Praises of God .....................................................................................66 b. A Blessing for Brother Leo .....................................................................71 2. The Letter of Spoleto .......................................................................................80 Chapter Three: Letters Michael W. Blastic 1. Letter to the Clergy .....................................................................................101 2. Letters to Custodians .................................................................................107 3. Letter to the Rulers of the People ...........................................................113 4. Letter to a Minister ......................................................................................117 5. Letter to Saint Anthony ..............................................................................125 6. Letter to the Entire Order ..........................................................................131 Michael Cusato 7. Letters to the Faithful ..................................................................................149 Chapter Four: Prayers and Praises Jay M. Hammond 1. Vernacular Prayers .......................................................................................209 a. The Prayer before the Crucifix .............................................................210 b. The Canticle of Exhortation ..................................................................215 c. The Canticle of Creatures ......................................................................227 Laurent Gallant 2. The Exhortation to the Praise of God ....................................................245 3. The Office of the Passion ...........................................................................253 4. The Our Father ..............................................................................................281 5. The Praises at All the Hours .....................................................................291 Jean François Godet-Calogeras 6. The Salutation to the Virtues ....................................................................305 7. The Salutation to the BVM ........................................................................315 Chapter Five: Sayings Michael W. Blastic 1. The Saying on True Joy ..............................................................................329 ...