The “Little Flowers of Saint Francis of Assisi” is a collection of stories about the Saint. The manuscript is divided into 53 short chapters and was completed in the 14th century by an anonymous Italian writer. Some of the stories in the books could possibly be legends, while others might be true. Most of them are about the miracles that took place at the monastery in Italy where St. Francis lived.

St. Francis wanted his life to be as similar as possible to Jesus’s earthly life by living in purposeful poverty, becoming a beggar, and preaching to crowds of people. Similar to Jesus, Francis had followers who travelled with him. In contrast, Francis often faked madness out of humility, which led some to consider him crazy, while others believed he had immense wisdom. Francis even told one of his followers, Brother Leo, that he himself was not a pious man and he was evil.

Teaching that poverty is the most holy thing someone can embrace, Francis also stated that suffering injustice for Christ’s sake was also Godly. Saint Francis preached sermons, had visions, and performed miracles on sick and disabled people. Monks known as Franciscans came to live in poverty with St. Francis and serve God. 

During the Fifth Crusade in 1219, the Pope sent Francis to Egypt in an attempt to persuade the Sultan to convert to Christianity, and according to this book, he succeeded. Another story states that St. Francis cured a leper of his disease, but the leper died two weeks later. On his way to heaven, the leper spoke with Saint Franics through his prayers. On another occasion three robbers attempted to plunder the monastery, but Saint Francis converted them through his words. The collection claims that Saint Francis could read people’s minds and so he often prayed to God to help other monks achieve their prayers. 

The Fransican monks were holy men who lived in poverty, giving them more grace than any other monastic order at the time. Francis and his followers could work miracles and had divine wisdom. This influential Saint taught that the way to heaven was by faith along with good works, humility, and chastity.