and convent were built. These are the circumstances under which the
Friars Minor were settled on this mountain, which subsequently became
so celebrated in the Christian world by the stigmata of St. Francis.
The place was ceded to them by an authentic document which the count
gave them, and which is preserved in the original in the archives of
the convent. We shall speak further of this holy place when we come
to relate the first visit the Saint paid it on his return from Spain.

He continued his journey through Bologna, from whence, after having
visited his brethren, he came to Imola. He first went to offer his
respects to the bishop, and asked permission to preach to his people.
"I preach," replied the bishop coldly, "and that is quite enough."
Francis bowed humbly, and retired; but an hour afterwards he returned,
and the bishop, surprised and angered at seeing him again, asked him
what he could possibly want? to which he replied, in a tone of sincere
humility: "My lord, if a father drives his son out of the house by one
door, it is right that the son should return through another." The
bishop mollified by this mild address, embraced him with affection,
and said: "From henceforth you and your brethren may preach in my
diocese. I give you a general leave, it is what your humility has
merited." Is there anything which can soften minds and obtain favors
sooner than this virtue?

The humility of Francis was accompanied with great courage, which
rendered him firm and confident in the most imminent dangers, this was
owing to the great confidence he had in God. Night overtook him once
when he was in company with Leo, between Lombardy and the Trevisan
Marshes, on a road having on one side the Po, one of the most
considerable rivers in Italy, and on the other a deep morass. Leo,
much alarmed, exclaimed: "Father, pray to God to deliver us from the