“Strengthened by God’s grace and the pope’s approval, Francis with great confidence took the road toward the valley of Spoleto, where he intended to preach and live the Gospel of Christ. On the way he discussed with his companions how they should sincerely keep the rule which they had taken upon themselves, how they should proceed in all holiness and justice before God (Luke 1:75), how they should improve themselves and be an example for others. It was already late in the day as they continued their long discussion. Fatigued from their prolonged activity and feeling hungry, they stopped at an isolated spot. When there seemed to be no way for them to get the food they needed, God’s providence immediately came to their aid. For suddenly a man appeared carrying bread in his hand, which he gave to Christ’s little poor and then suddenly disappeared. They had no idea where he came from or where he went. From this the poor friars realized that while in the company of the man of God they would be given assistance from heaven and so they were refreshed more by the gift of God’s generosity than by the food they received for their bodies. Moreover, filled with divine consolation, they firmly resolved and irrevocably committed themselves never to turn back from the promise they had made to holy poverty, in spite of any pressure from lack of food or other trials.”
St. Bonaventure (Cardinal, 1221-1274) as cited by Ewert H. Cousins in Bonaventure (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1978) 207.