Saint Francis Changes Clothes with a Beggar

It happened that Francis, after he had become changed by grace, though still wearing the habit of the world, went on a pilgrimage to Rome. On entering Saint Peter's church, he noticed that the offerings made by some were paltry, and said to himself: 'Since the chief of the Apostles should be splendidly honoured, why do these people make such small offerings in the church wherein his body rests?' And so, with great fervour, he put his hand into his purse, drew it out full of coins, and, throwing them through the grating of the altar, made such a din that all the bystanders were amazed at so splendid an offering. Then he went out in front of the church doors, where there were many poor people come to ask alms, stealthily borrowed the rags of a poor man, took off his own clothes, put on the rags, and stood with the other poor people on the steps of the church, asking alms in French, for he was fond of talking French, though he could not do so correctly. Then he put off the rags, resumed his own clothes, went back to Assisi, and began to pray the Lord to direct his way.

- text taken from Franciscan Days: being selections for every day in the year from ancient Franciscan writings, translated and arranged by Alan George Ferrers Howell