A Spiritual Banquet
"A Spiritual Banquet," a scene that serves as a reminder of Franciscan spirituality and grace, is depicted on the cover. The story follows:
Francis, in the early days, often went to San Damiano to advise his new sister. At one time, she had a great desire to eat with him but Francis never wanted to allow this. Finally, he was compelled to assent. And so Francis decided "… in order to give her even greater pleasure, I want this meal to be at Santa Maria degli Angeli, for she has been cloistered at San Damiano for a long time and she will enjoy once more the Place of Saint Mary where her hair was cut and she was made the spouse of Jesus Christ. So we shall eat together, in the name of the Lord."
On the day set, Clare came from San Damiano. Francis had the table laid on the bare ground according to the usual custom. At the first course, he began to talk of God so sweetly and profoundly that all were overcome by a flood of divine grace and became rapt in God. And so they remained with eyes and hands raised to the sky.
When the people of Assisi, Bettona and the countryside looked to Santa Maria degli Angeli, they saw the forest and surrounding area in flames. They came in great haste to put out the fire. But when they arrived, they saw nothing burning—only Francis and Clare at lunch.
From Francis of Assisi by Arnaldo Fortini; c. 1980