lamps of the church in the French language, which set the company into
an immoderate fit of laughter. Such efforts show the truth of the
remark of St. Ambrose: that the saints were no less liable than
ourselves to fall into faults; but that they had greater care to
practise virtue, and to correct the faults into which they fell.

Pious and well-thinking persons remarked that the conduct of Francis
was maintained with an equality of fervor, and they found a high degree
of wisdom in what appeared to the generality of the world to be
littleness of mind and folly. These opinions gradually spread and
brought over many to esteem and venerate him; even those who had
despised and insulted him, came forward to solicit his forgiveness.
The prior of the monastery where he had served in the kitchen, who was
then at Assisi, and who there became acquainted with his rare virtues,
showed him great respect, begged him to pardon the treatment he had
received, and excused himself, by saying, that he could not then be
known under the miserable disguise under which he had hid himself. The
man who had foretold that he would do great things, added to this
prediction, while applauding himself: "You know what I before said to
you of this young man; you only see the beginning of his holiness, but
you will see the continuation: Jesus Christ will do wonders through
him, which all the world will admire."

The dispositions which were now entertained in his regard, procured
for him the means of completing the repairs of St. Damian towards the
close of the year 1206. In the course of this work, it was remarked
that he said to those who passed by, "Assist me in finishing this
building; there will be a monastery here some day of poor females of
holy life, whose reputation will tend to glorify our Heavenly Father
throughout His Holy Church." This was a real prophecy, the