Quoting Saint Francis Of Assisi On The Commemoration Of The Imprinting Of The Holy Stigmata On The Body Of St. Francis - 17 September

To commemorate the imprinting of the Holy Stigmata on the body of Saint Francis of Assisi on September 17, a few selected quotes are copied below from the book Works Of The Seraphic Father St. Francis Of Assisi [1]:

From the section on Maxims Of The Holy Father St. Francis (pages 138-145):

I.  Man's greatest enemy is his body.  The body does not think over past evils to deplore them, nor does it look forward to future ones in order to fear them; its only care is to enjoy the present.  But what is still worse, it usurps all good, transfers it all to its own glory, and impudently arrogates to itself what is given to the soul.  It seizes for itself all the praise due to virtue, the esteem shown to fasts and vigils; it seeks even the reward due to tears, leaving nothing to the soul.

IV.  The blessed treasure of Poverty is so excellent and divine, that we are unworthy to possess it in our vile vessels.  By this virtue all earthly and transitory things are trampled under foot, all stumbling-blocks are removed from among us, and the human mind is most closely united to the Eternal Good.  This it is which causes the soul on earth to converse with the Angels in heaven.  This is which unites us to Christ on the Cross, which hides us with Christ in the tomb; by it we rise with Christ from the sepulchre, and accompany Him to heaven.  This is which, when guarded by true humility and charity, gives to souls who love it, even in this world, the gift of agility, by which they fly to the highest heavens.

V.  The Son of God descends from the bosom of the Father to the depths of our lowliness, that, as Our Lord and Master, He may teach us humility both by word and example.  It is therefore foolish to be puffed up with human favour, or to be proud of earthly honour.  For what is great before men, is abominable before God; and what a man is in the sight of God, that he is and no more.

VII.  A man has as much knowledge as he shows by his works, and no more; and a Religious is a good preacher only inasmuch as he acts upon his preaching, for a tree is known by its fruits.

XIV.  The price we pay for fame is the lessening of the secrets of the conscience.  It is far more hurtful and dangerous to abuse virtues than to be without them; neither is it a greater virtue to seek for good, than to preserve it when acquired.

XXI.  No one should take a foolish pride in what a sinner can do.  A sinner can fast, pray, weep, and macerate his body; this only he cannot do, remain faithful to God.  In this, therefore, we may glory, in returning to God all His glory, in serving Him faithfully, and in ascribing to Him whatever He gives us.

XXV.  The highest wisdom consists in doing good works, keeping a guard over oneself, and meditating on the judgments of God.

XXX.  To him who tastes God, all the sweetness of the world will be but bitterness.  Taste, therefore, and see how sweet the Lord is, and thou wilt never weary of enjoying Him.  It is quite otherwise with the love of the world, for bitterness is always hidden in it; the love of worldly things produces many fruits of sorrow; thus; if thou lovest wife, children, possessions, houses, or honours, when these die or perish they procure for thee as much sorrow as thou hast had affection and love for them.

[1] Saint Francis of Assisi. Works Of The Seraphic Father St. Francis Of Assisi. Pius X Press, 2017.