Church of S. Damian--He erects a monastery there, the first one of his
second Order, which he then instituted--He is troubled by a serious
doubt, on which he consults his brethren--His doubt is cleared up by
an oracle from heaven--He goes out to preach--Restores a blind girl
to sight, and converts many worldly people--He sighs for martyrdom--Asks
permission of the Pope to preach to the infidels--Makes conversions
at Rome, and establishes his Order there--Returns to Assisi and leaves
for the Levant--Embarks, but is obliged to put into a harbor in
Sclavonia--Goes by sea to Ancona--A miracle which God performs in his
favor--He converts a celebrated poet--Returns to Tuscany, and to S.
Mary of the Angels--He falls sick--Wonderfully humbles himself--Tries
a vocation--Falls sick again and writes to all Christians--Departs for
Spain and Africa, in search of martyrdom--His miracles and other
particulars of his journey--His profound humility--He raises the
dead--Count Orlando gives him Mount Alverna--God miraculously protects
him--He preaches in Piedmont and passes into Spain--Works a miraculous
cure there--The king, Alphonso IX, permits him to establish his Order
there--He receives houses there--A violent sickness prevents him going
to Morocco--His actions whilst he is delayed in Spain--He returns to
Italy--His route thither--He arrives at S. Mary of the Angels, and
disapproves a building there--He goes to Mount Alverna--Is beaten by
devils--Mortifies his sense, and taste--Makes water spring from a
rock--Visits the mountain--Converts there a celebrated brigand--Leaves
for Rome--Discovers some relics by revelation--Makes predictions, and
performs miracles and conversions--Arrives at Rome whilst the Council
of Lateran is sitting--The Pope declares to the Council that he has
approved the Rule--He appoints a general chapter at S. Mary of the
Angels, whither he returns--He holds the chapter and sends his friars
to various countries--He thinks of going to Paris--Reunites an
illustrious family that had been divided--Rejoices in his poverty and