“When Francis, the man of God, saw that many were being inspired by his example to carry the cross of Christ with fervent spirit, he himself like a good leader of Christ’s army was encouraged to reach the palm of victory through the height of heroic virtue. He directed his attention to this text of the Apostle: Those who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)
St. Bonaventure (Cardinal, 1221-1274) Ewert H. Cousins Bonaventure (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1978) 218.