In 1260, 34 years after the death of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure (Doctor of the Church and Minister General of the Franciscans) was asked to write a book on the life of St. Francis based on all the texts then in existence. From ‘Major Life of St. Francis’ by St. Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church. Excerpts from Chapter IX:

'When he left the coast Francis went on a missionary journey about the countryside, sowing everywhere the seed of salvation and reaping an abundant harvest. However, the prize of martyrdom still attracted him so strongly that the thought of dying for Christ meant more to him than any merit he might earn by the practice of virtue. Therefore, he took the road towards Morocco with the intention of preaching the Gospel of Christ to the sultan and his subjects, hoping to win the palm of victory in this way. His desire bore him along so swiftly that even though he was physically weak he used to leave his companion behind and hurry ahead, as if he was enraptured in his anxiety to achieve his purpose. When he had travelled as far as Spain, however, he fell sick by God’s design, because he had other plans in store for him. Prevented by his illness from gaining martyrdom, Francis realized that his life was still necessary for the family he had founded, even though he was convinced that death was a prize to be won, and so he returned to tend the flock which had been committed to his care.'

>> read complete article