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Since, then, following the example of the most blessed father Francis, I

breathlessly sought this peace, I, a sinner, who have succeeded to the

place of that most blessed father after his death, the seventh Minister

General of the brothers, though in all ways unworthy - it happened that by

the divine will in the thirty-third year after the death of that blessed

man I ascended to Mount Alverna as to a quiet place, with the desire of

seeking spiritual peace; and staying there, while I meditated on the ascent

of the mind to God, amongst other things there occurred that miracle which

happened in the same place to the blessed Francis himself, the vision

namely of the winged Seraph in the likeness of the Crucified. While looking

upon this vision, I immediately saw that it signified the suspension of our

father himself in contemplation and the way by which he came to it.