LIVES OF THE BROTHERS

PART 3

BLESSED JORDAN


3.1 The purity of Master Jordan

3.2 His mercy in giving to the first poor man

3.3 The cincture he gave out and saw on the crucified Jesus

3.4 His entering the Order and the vision of the fountain

3.5 His kindness to the poor and to the brothers

3.6 The novice whom he freed from temptation by his prayer

3.7 His way of prayer, meditating and travelling

3.8 The bread given to the poor and multiplied

3.9 Nose bleeding stopped by his prayer

3.10 The priest cured from an every-third-day fever

3.11 The grace of preaching which the Lord gave him

3.12 The multitude of students he attracted to the Order

3.13 The efficacy of his words

3.14 The noble man who wanted to kill him but was converted on seeing him

3.15 The brother tempted by a spirit of blasphemy who was relieved by his word

3.16 The penitent cleric for whom he obtained the gift of chastity

3.17 The novice cured of fever

3.18 The wild animal that allowed him to pet it

3.19 The brother he retained by his consolation and the prayers of the brothers

3.20 His special divine grace of preaching

3.21 His humility, and how he declined honours

3.22 His patience

3.23 How he lost one eye and was consoled

3.24 How he was abstracted from exterior things and did not notice his cinture

3.25 His devotion to the Blessed Mary

3.26 How the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and obtained some things for the Order

3.27 How the Blessed Virgin with angels assisted him as he read

3.28 How he saw the same Virgin with her Son blessing the brothers

3.29 How the Blessed Mary sent a girl to him for advice and he freed her

3.30 How the devil tempted him when he was sick, under the appearance of a good man

3.31 How the devil offered him poisonous drink when he was thirsty

3.32 How the devil wanted to make peace with him

3.33 How the devil wanted to harm him, but could not

3.34 How the devil tempted him to be proud

3.35 How the devil tried to deceive him by smell

3.36 How he was joyful in poverty

3.37 The wine improved by his merits

3.38 A woman devoted to him

3.39 The woman whom he delivered from poison and sin

3.40 The vision and miracles that took place at his death

3.41 The revelation of his death

3.42 The nun consoled by him

3.43 The Carmelite confirmed in his own Order by him

3.44 Miracles worked on invoking him

3.45 His prudent replies and words


3.1 The purity of Master Jordan

With the Lord's help, we will put down for the glory of God and the use of our readers some things about our holy and memorable Father, Brother Jordan, the second Master of the Order of Preachers and Blessed Dominic's most worthy successor. These things are what we have learned by diligent research or saw and heard from him.

First of all we declare that he was a mirror of every aspect of religious observance and an exemplar of virtue, a man, it is said, who kept unblemished chastity of mind and body.

3.2 His mercy in giving to the first poor man

He was also well known for piety, which the Apostle says "is useful for everything" (1 Tim 4:8). That was true not only while he was in the Order, but even before, when he lived in the world. At that time he was so moved with compassion for the miserable and afflicted that a poor man would hardly ever go away from him without receiving something, even though he did not have much money. He was especially generous to the first poor man coming to him in the morning, even if the man did not ask him for anything.

3.3 The cincture he gave out and saw on the crucified Jesus

While he was studying theology at Paris, he had the habit of getting up every night to attend Matins. Once, on the night of a solemn feast, he woke up thinking that the bell had rung for Matins. So he just put a cape over his tunic and, tying himself with a cincture, hurried to the church. On the way a poor man met him asking for an alms. Since he had nothing else to give him, he gave him his cincture. When he got to the church he found it closed, because the bell had not yet rung, as he thought it had; so he stayed outside the doors until the gate men rose and opened the church. He entered and began praying devoutly and intensely before the crucifix. When he looked at it, he saw the figure clothed with the cincture he had shortly before given to the poor man for love of the Crucified.

3.4 His entering the Order and the vision of the fountain

While he was still a bachelor in theology, he was received into the Order at Paris by Brother Reginald, of blessed memory, formerly dean of Saint Aignan at Orléans. At Reginald's happy death a prayerful brother had a wonderful vision: In his sleep he saw a very clear fountain in the cloister of Saint Jacques at Paris dry up; then another rose in the same place and overflowed through the city's streets and over the whole country, giving everyone drink, cleanliness and joy, until the ever growing flood reached the sea.

In fact, after the death of Blessed Reginald our Blessed Father arose. First he gave the brothers at Paris beautiful lectures on the Gospel of Saint Luke. Then he went out preaching for about twenty years all over the world, on both sides of the Mediterranean, announcing Jesus Christ by word and example. He is estimated to have attracted more than a thousand candidates to the Order. He was pleasing to God and devoted to the prelates of the Roman Church, leading both clergy and laity to repentance and inviting them to enter the kingdom of God. This blessed father of ours ended his life like Blessed Clement in the sea, and there he found an unobstructed way to enter the powerful presence of God.

3.5 His kindness to the poor and to the brothers

In the Order, his kindness was so overflowing that while travelling he often took off his tunic to clothe the naked for Christ. His brothers often rebuked him for this and even accused him in the General Chapter. He was very meek and kind towards the brothers, not only by showing them sympathy when ill and helping them as much as he could, but also by pardoning their human transgressions. He corrected the brothers more by his virtue of kindness and his attractive meekness than by severe discipline, although he used this with certain persons at certain times, being instructed by Him who teaches moderation in everything. He showed kindness and compassion to those suffering from temptation or illness, often visiting them personally and encouraging them by words, example, exhortation and prayers. He had the custom, when he ever came to a convent, to visit the sick, to call novices to his table, and ask if any were tempted, so that he could console them.

3.6 The novice whom he freed from temptation by his prayer

Once, when he visited Bologna, the brothers told him about an unsettled novice who was on the verge of leaving. In the world he led a very delicate and privileged way of life in clothing, bedding, furniture, food, games and other sensual delights, so that he never experienced any affliction or anxiety of spirit except for the discipline of study. In that he made so much progress that after one year he knew enough to lecture on law. He had never been sick, hardly ever annoyed, never fasted except on Good Friday, hardly ever abstained from meat except on Fridays, had never been to Confession, and as for Church prayers knew nothing more than the Our Father.

One day he visited the brothers out of idle curiosity and, since he did not know how to say no, entered the Order. Very soon he was sorry, and everything that he saw or experienced seemed like another death to him. He could not eat or sleep; although in the world he could hardly be provoked, he was so fired with temptation against the subprior who brought him into the Order that he once wanted to hit him with the heavy Psalm book he was holding. Finding this brother in such a state of temptation and hearing that his name was Tedalto, Master Jordan began with this to encourage him: "Tedalto," he said, "your name means aspiring to high things." After other words of advice, he took him to the altar of Blessed Nicholas and told him to kneel down and say the Our Father, since he knew no other prayer.

Master Jordan placed his hands over Theodald's head and began to beg the Lord with all the feeling of his heart to remove the temptation from the novice. After extensive prayer, the novice began gradually to experience a sweetness of mind, peace and change of heart. When Master Jordan finally lifted his hands from his head, the novice felt, as he told many brothers later, as if two hands squeezing his heart were suddenly removed, and his soul was left in great peace and sweetness. Constantly in high spirits and fervour, he worked hard and accomplished much in the Order.

3.7 His way of prayer, meditating and travelling

The Lord gave this saint a special grace of prayer, and he never neglected it because of the duties of his office towards the brothers or because of travel fatigue or other work or cares. He would pray kneeling with his hands joined and body erect, without sitting down; he could stay this way for as long as someone could walk eight miles. He was much given to shedding tears, and it is thought this is the reason why he had serious eye trouble. While meditating, whether at home or on the road, he was completely absorbed and found great pleasure in it. On the road he used to devote all his time to prayers and meditation, except when he said the Divine Office or discussed something important with his companions; he did this only at certain times, and exhorted his companions to do the same. So he often walked separate from his brothers, sometimes singing aloud and with tears Jesu nostra redemptio (61) or the Salve Regina. His absorption in meditation and sweetness of heart sometimes made him wander from the path; yet no one found him disturbed over this or putting any blame on the brothers; rather he comforted them if they happened to be disturbed, saying, "Let us not be bothered; it is all part of the road to heaven."

3.8 The bread given to the poor and multiplied

Once, while going from Lombardy to Germany, he came to the town called Ursern in the Alps. With him were two brothers and a secular priest, who later became a brother, and in that remote place provided for their needs. Tired and hungry, they came to the house of an innkeeper named Hunthar and asked him quickly to prepare food and accommodation. But he answered, "I have no bread, because many people passed through here before you and ate all the bread, except two loaves which I kept for myself and my family. These would not be enough for you." But they told him, "My dear friend, serve what you have, because we are very needy." He brought out the two loaves, and Master Jordan blessed them and began giving out large portions to the poor who rushed around him. Their host and the brothers were very much upset and said, "What are you doing, sir? Don't you know that we cannot get more bread?" The innkeeper closed the door to keep the poor out, but Master Jordan ordered him to open it. He began again to distribute as many as thirty pieces, each large enough to satisfy a person. The four also ate and were filled, and enough was left to take care of the innkeeper and his whole family. Seeing the miracle, the innkeeper said, "This man is truly a saint," and he refused to take from him the price of the meal, but filled his jug with wine so that he could serve his brothers on the road.

3.9 Nose bleeding stopped by his prayer

Going on towards Zürich, in the town of Zug he met a craftsman who had suffered from nose bleeding for many years, it occurring as many as thirty times every twenty-four hours. Knowing his faith and devotion, he put his hand on him and prayed, and that instant the man was perfectly cured.

3.10 The priest cured from an every-third-day fever

Coming to the town of Urn, he found a priest who had long suffered from an every-third-day fever. He was completely emaciated and had spent all his money on doctors, but in vain. After hearing his confession and giving him a penance, Master Jordan prayed and obtained perfect health for him, as the priest himself later tearfully told the brothers, praising the blessed man's holiness.

Another time while he was crossing the Alps, he met a craftsman who had lost the sight of one eye from the heat of a furnace. When he touched him with the sign of the cross, the man instantly recovered his sight completely.

3.11 The grace of preaching which the Lord gave him

As for the word of God and the office of preaching, Father Jordan was so pleasing and powerful that hardly anyone could be compared to him. For the Lord gave him a special prerogative and grace not only in preaching, but also in conversation, so that wherever and with whomever he was he would never be at a loss for stirring words and pointed illustrations; whatever the condition of his listeners, each one found satisfaction, and his preaching became well known. Therefore the devil was envious and tried many ways to divert him from preaching, as will be told below.

3.12 The multitude of students he attracted to the Order

He spent much time in cities where there were schools of the Order; thus he usually spent Lent in alternate years at Paris and at Bologna. While he was there those convents were like bee hives, with many entering the Order and many transferred by him from there to other provinces. So when he came, he had many tunics made, trusting in God that he would receive new brothers. Yet often so many unexpectedly entered that habits could hardly be found. So once on the feast of the Purification the Master received twenty-one students at Paris; the scene was full of tears, the brothers weeping for joy, and the students for sadness at losing or being separated from their people. Of these many later became theology masters in different places. Among them was a young German whom the Master had several times deferred because of his young age, but this time he mixed in with the crowd and the Master thought it would be too harsh to exclude him, since there were around a thousand students in attendance. In reference to this youth he said to all with a smile, "One of you is stealing the Order from us." When the brother in charge of habits brought out only twenty, some brothers had to surrender, one a cappa, another a tunic, another a scapular, since the one in charge of habits could find no way out of the chapter room to get more, because of the crowd of students in attendance. Yet the young brother made so much progress that he later became a lecturer and an excellent preacher.

Likewise, Father Jordan often pawned his Bible to pay the debts of students who entered.

3.13 The efficacy of his words

On one feast day, when he was receiving a student after the sermon and many students were present, he said to the assembly, "If one of you were going to a great feast and banquet alone, would your companions be so indifferent that none of them would want to accompany you? You see that this young man has been called to a great feast thrown by God; are you going to let him go off alone?" These words had such an impact that one student who had no previous intention of entering the Order came out in the middle and said, "Master, at your word, I join him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." And he was received together with him.

Once a brother was tempted, and was despondent that he could not get to Master Jordan. Finding him saying the Vigil Office of the Dead, the brother joined him, taking the other side. While the brother was saying the verse, "I trust in the Victor to see the beauty of Yahweh..." the master answered devoutly and slowly, "Wait for the Lord; be strong; let your heart take courage, and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27). The brother took these words as a prophetic utterance and was greatly consoled. At the end of the office he said, "Master, you gave me a good answer." Master Jordan said, "How, my son?" "When you answered me in the Office, 'Wait for the Lord; be strong; let your heart take courage, and wait for the Lord.' I am convinced that I must do this if I want to 'see the good things of the Lord in teh land of the living.' (62) " The Master was happy to hear this and spoke consoling words to him. Thus the brother who came distressed with temptation went away consoled.

3.14 The noble man who wanted to kill him but was converted on seeing him

While the Master was preaching a stirring series of sermons at Padua, where there was a large school of the Order, (63) he received into the Order a noble German youth with a pleasant character. His teacher and companions anticipated his entry and, as ministers of the devil, locked him up in a room with a beautiful girl, so that they could deter him from his holy intention by pleasure of the flesh. But Christ was victorious in him, and drew him more strongly to the Order, and later on he even induced his teacher to enter.

The youth's father was powerful and rich and had no other son but this one, whose name was Averard. When he heard that his son had entered the Order he was deadly upset and came to Lombardy with a retinue, determined either to reclaim his son or to kill Master Jordan. One day he and his companions were riding along horseback, when they met Master Jordan. He scowled and shouted wildly at him, asking where Master Jordan was, not knowing it was he. But the Master thought of Jesus who said to the Jews, "I am he" (John 18:6), and answered with a happy face and a humble heart, "I am Master Jordan." From this word of truth, the man immediately sensed the power of the holy man and, jumping down from his horse, humbly prostrated at his feet, confessing with tears the sin that he had conceived against him in his heart. He added, "Having received consolation concerning my son, I no longer want to pull him back to the world. As for this band which I brought to do the work of the devil, I promise you that, before returning to my land, I will take it overseas for the service of God. He did so, with a band of nearly one hundred horsemen.

This incident shows Master Jordan's ability not only in preaching but in any dealings with men.

3.15 The brother tempted by a spirit of blasphemy who was relieved by his word

A brother in a convent near Bologna, from spending excessive time in contemplation and the study of God, fill into such darkness of heart that he almost seemed to believe that God did not exist. The prior of that convent happened to go to Bologna and, at the request of that brother, told Master Jordan of the brother's trouble, and how he found no relief in arguments, Scriptural citations or the prayers of the brothers. The Master said, "Prior, tell him that he believes as well as I do." The prior went back to his convent and as soon as he told the brother the words of the Master, he, as it were, woke up from a deep sleep or came out of a trance and said, "Yes, the Master spoke truly. I very well believe that God exists." And immediately he was fully freed from that temptation to blasphemy.

3.16 The penitent cleric for whom he obtained the gift of chastity

A cleric of the diocese of Rouen was going to confession to this man of God and, among his sins, tearfully confessed that he could not keep chastity. The kind father had pity on him from the depth of his heart and, relying firmly on God, said, "Dear son, I tell you that this incontinence of the flesh will no longer prevail against you." The cleric confessed to many brothers that, thanks to God, this is what was accomplished by the merits of the holy man.

3.17 The novice cured of fever

In the convent of Frankfurt a brother named Engelbert, a young man whom Master Jordan had received into the Order, was struck with a severe fever within the year of his novitiate. When the Master saw him so weak and worn down, he said, "Son, if you have faith you can be quickly freed of your fever." When he answered that he did firmly believe so, Master Jordan put his hand on him and said, "In the name of the Lord, receive your health," and immediately he was cured of his fever.

3.18 The wild animal that allowed him to pet it

One time Master Jordan left Lausanne to see the bishop who was nearby, since they were long-time friends. Many brothers went ahead of him, while he followed, talking with the sacristan of Lausanne about Jesus, when a weasel crossed in front of the brothers. While the brothers stood before the cavity which it entered, the Master came up and said, "Why are you standing here?" They said, "Because a very beautiful and shining animal entered that hole." Then the Master bent down and said, "Beautiful animal, come out, so that we can look at you. Immediately it came to the opening of the hole and fixed its eyes on him. The Master then lifted up its forefeet with his hand, and with the other petted its head and back; all this the weasel accepted. Then the Master said to it, "Now go back into your hole and may your Creator be blessed." And the animal returned right away into its hideout. This story was told by the sacristan who was there.

This miracle was talked about among the brothers for many years. The sacristan who was there and saw it told the story to Achilles, the prior of Basel. I, Brother Lambert, heard it also from Sir Peter Senescal of Lausanne, who also was present.

3.19 The brother he retained by his consolation and the prayers of the brothers

Master Jordan was zealous for the promotion of the Order, especially by attracting students; he also was concerned with keeping those who had been received. He was distinguished by the special grace of never losing anyone by his own fault or negligence, so that he could say with Christ, "Father, not one of those you gave me have I lost" (John 18:9).

Once a novice at Paris was tempted to leave, and the kind Father did all he could to encourage him to persevere. As the brother felt no better and constantly demanded to be given his clothes and things, the Master told him that he would give him permission to go the next day. That was Pentecost and the brothers were gathering for a General Chapter. After the brothers had processed in their white habits and the opening ceremonies were finished, he called the novice to the chapter room. In front of all the brothers he gently advised him and earnestly begged him to stay, and not leave such a holy society at the instigation of the devil. Since his heart was not at all softened, he sent him to the clothes room to receive his secular garments. Meanwhile he told the brothers, "Let us knock on the mercy of God by saying on our knees the Veni Creator."

The result was amazing! They had not yet finished the hymn when the novice came back flowing with tears and threw himself down in the middle of the chapter room, asking for mercy and promising to persevere thenceforward in the Order. The brothers rejoiced and gave thanks to God for saving the brother from almost falling into the depths of hell. The brother then made much progress in his way of life and knowledge, becoming a useful lecturer and a pleasant preacher.

3.20 His special divine grace of preaching

In a booklet on the beginnings of the Order, Master Jordan described as a man of highest perfection the holy and venerable Brother Henry, the first prior of Cologne, who was his friend in the world and entered the Order with him. He also told some other brothers in a private conversation the following wonderful story:

After the death of Brother Henry, almost every time he went to receive a blessing before preaching, as is the custom of preachers, he saw this venerable brother standing over him with many angels and giving him the blessing that is usually given to preachers.

This points to the singular level of grace and glory of both the giver and the receiver. No one should think that he told this story to gain praise; it was only to give inspiration.

3.21 His humility, and how he declined honours

He was so humble that he knew how to avoid discretely and wisely all worldly pomp and honour offered to him. Thus once, when it was known that he was coming to Bologna, the whole city wanted to come out in procession to meet him. But he moved fast from the way the crowd was coming, and entered the city by some back paths and came to the house of the brothers. Many took this as a good example.

3.22 His patience

At Bologna there was a brother possessed by the devil who happened to meet Master Jordan in the cloister and gave him a heavy slap on the face. The holy Father, being well grounded in patience and humility, right away offered him the other cheek. The brother could not bear this goodness and, bowing his head, moved off ashamed.

In the General Chapter Master Jordan's patience was very evident. When the diffinitors blamed him for something and added that he could offer his excuses, he humbly answered, "Should a thief be believed when he excuses himself?" Many were edified by these words.

3.23 How he lost one eye and was consoled

When he lost sight in one eye because of a serious illness, he gathered his brothers in chapter and said, "Brothers, thank God, since I have lost one enemy. Ask him, if he wills and it is for my good, to preserve for me the other."

3.24 How he was abstracted from exterior things and did not notice his belt

Someone might ask how he could be so absorbed inwardly that he gave no thought to exterior matters. Once a devout noble man asked him for his belt and he gave it; since the holy man had no other he accepted the man's own in exchange. After some time, while the Master was sitting at recreation with the brothers, wearing that belt with its silver buckle and hanging silver tip. One of the brothers lifted it up and said, "What is this, Master?" He looked at it carefully and said, "My God! Who put this here? I never noticed it." The brothers were thus impressed with his interior recollection.

3.25 His devotion to the Blessed Mary

He was very much devoted to our Lady, Blessed Mary, knowing her to be concerned with the promotion and protection of the Order, which he presided over by her help.

Once a brother, out of devotional curiosity, went to watch and listen to him while he was praying devoutly before the altar of Blessed Mary and slowly saying the Hail Mary again and again. When he yawned, the holy Father caught him and asked, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son Berthold." "My son, go and rest." "No, Master, I want you to tell me what your were just praying for." Then the saint began to explain to him how he prayed, especially to Blessed Mary, beginning with the hymn Ave maris stella, then five psalms according the five letters of the name Maria, namely: 1) the Magnificat, Ad dominus cum tribularer (Psalm 120), Retribue (Psalm 119:17), In convertendo (Psalm 126), and Ad te levavi (Psalm 123). At the end of each of these, after the Glory be, the Hail Mary is said while genuflecting." He added, "I will tell you a story, son, so that you can see how good it is to praise the Mother of the Lord:"

3.26 How the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and obtained some things for the Order

He said: A brother was standing before his bed praying when he saw the Blessed Virgin accompanied by some girls going through the dormitory and sprinkling the brothers and their cells, while one of the girls carried the pot of holy water. She passed by the cell of one brother without sprinkling it.

The brother who saw this ran to the feet of our Lady, saying, "Please, Lady tell me who you are, and why you did not sprinkle this brother." She answered, "I am the Mother of God, and I came to visit these brothers. I did not sprinkle this one, because he was not ready. Tell him to get ready. I love your Order with a special love, and I especially appreciate this, that you begin everything you do or say with praise of me and end it in the same way. Therefore I have obtained from my son that none in your Order can long persist in mortal sin without either quickly repenting or being thrown out, so that he may not pollute my Order." (64)

3.27 How the Blessed Virgin with angels assisted him as he read

In the Night Office of the Circumcision of the Lord at Paris, when, according to custom, Father Jordan was reading the ninth lesson, a brother slept off and saw a most beautiful lady standing in the pulpit, with a golden crown on her head and wearing a very ornate cloak; she was looking very intensely at the reader. When he finished the lesson, she took the book from his hand and began to walk slowly down the steps before him, while holy brothers stood on either side of her. A man who was a little bald and dignified in appearance, carrying a staff in his hand, led the way for the lady. The brother who saw this thought that she was the Blessed Virgin, and the one in front of her either Blessed Paul or Blessed Dominic, who became bald towards the end of his life.

The brother went to the Master and asked him whether he sensed anything wonderful during that lesson, and told him what he had seen. Master Jordan just smiled at the story, not revealing anything.

3.28 How he saw the same Virgin with her Son blessing the brothers

Father Jordan told the brothers in chapter that a certain devout brother whom the brothers suspected to be himselfhad a vision in the same convent at Paris on the feast of the Purification, while the cantors began the Invitatory antiphon Ecce venit. He saw our Lady processing with her Son to the altar where she sat on a throne prepared for her, and looked very kindly on the brothers who, as is the custom, were facing the altar for the Invitatory. When they bowed at the Glory be, she held the right hand of her Son and blessed them and the whole choir.

3.29 How the Blessed Mary sent a girl to him for advice and he freed her

A noble and very beautiful girl was left by her father in the care of his brother. Instead of protecting her, he corrupted her. She was impregnated twice and, at his advice, had abortions. He impregnated her a third time, since she did not dare resist him, and she fell into a pit of desperation, not daring to reveal the crime to anyone. So she took a knife and struck herself so hard that she opened wide her womb and was left bleeding and in great pain. But then she was touched by the mercy of God and was sorry with all her heart for her sin and turned in tears to the Mother of mercy to come to her aid with her usual kindness, so that her soul at least would not perish with her body. The Blessed Virgin came immediately and restored her health; she then commanded her to submit herself completely to the direction of Master Jordan who was to come that way soon. She did so very devoutly, and entered the Cistercian Order, where she persevered in her vocation.

3.30 How the devil tempted him when he was sick, under the appearance of a good man

Once when he was sick at Paris the Evil One tempted him under the guise of holiness. He came to the door in the form of a venerable old man and asked to be brought to Master Jordan. He was led there and, after exchanging greetings, asked the brothers to leave, so that he could speak with him in private. They did so, and he said, "Master you are at the head of all the brothers of this most holy Order. If you allow yourself any small or big trace of relaxation of religious fervour, since human nature is inclined to slip, you will be punished by the Lord for giving an example of lax living and for providing matter for dispute among the brothers. You are sick, but not that much that you cannot go without a mattress or abstain from meat. If tomorrow or the next day the same dispensation is not made for a brother who is just as much or more sick, there will be bad judgements, protests and disputes. So I ask and advise you that, just as you have been an example of religious observance in other matters, you do likewise in these matters." The Wicked One, who had painted himself in another skin, then went off, mumbling something as if he were saying the Psalms.

The man of God simply believed his words and abstained for many days. His weakness became so great that he could hardly endure it. The Lord then revealed to him that it was the devil who had suggested that to him, since he was envious of his life and preaching.

3.31 How the devil offered him poisonous drink when he was thirsty

Another time, when he was going through Besançon, before the brothers had a house there, he fell gravely ill. One day when he was very hot with fever and was extremely thirsty, a young man in a white apron came with a jug of wine in one hand and a cup in the other. He offered it to him, saying, "Master, I am bringing you a very good drink which you can take confidently, and it will not harm you." Master Jordan realized the trick and commended himself to God, making the sign of the cross, and the man instantly disappeared.

We should not pass over the devotion that the bishop and others had towards him because of the signs of holiness they saw in him. Because of this they repeatedly requested and obtained the foundation of a convent.

3.32 How the devil wanted to make peace with him

Through a possessed man, five demons shouted threats and curses at him and made many complaints that by his preaching took many from the devil's control. The devil then said, "Blind man, (65) I will make a pact with you that I will never tempt your brothers in spirit or body if you promise that you will never more preach." The Holy man answered, "May God never permit me to make an agreement with death or a pact with hell."

3.33 How the devil wanted to harm him, but could not

Another brother at Bologna was possessed by the devil and was so strong that he broke all ropes and chains that were used to tie him; he frequently attacked the brothers and caused them much harm. Once his whole body was tied to bed and, as he lay there, told the Master who stood by him, "O blind man, if I had you in my power now, I would crush you completely." The Master ordered him to be untied and said, "See, you are unbound; do what you can." But he could not even move.

Then he said, "If I had your nose between my teeth..." The saint then bent down and put his nose in front of his mouth, but the brother could not hurt him in the least. He only touched the nose of the saint and rubbed it with his lips.

Another possessed brother at Bologna said to the brothers, "Brothers, pray to the Lord for that blind man who is now preaching at Naples. (66) The devil is very happy and takes pride when he can foretell the future." Right away he was sorry for what he said, and continued, "Do not believe me, because I lied." The brothers noted the day and the hour and found out later that Master Jordan was preaching at Naples at the very time that the demon at Bologna said.

3.34 How the devil tempted him to be proud

Another time, the possessed brother was shouting abuse at the other brothers, when Master Jordan arrived. He then rose with extraordinary reverence and praised him for his fervour at preaching so well and keeping religious observance, commending him for every perfection. He said this to make him elated. But the holy man was wise to the tricks of the Evil One and put him to confusion by his humility.

3.35 How the devil tried to deceive him by smell

While the Blessed Father was at Bologna, the Tempter so covered him with scent that he had to hide his hands so that others would not smell them, afraid that they would take the scent as a sign of a holiness which he was not conscious of. If he held the chalice, such a sweet scent came from him that he was completely astounded at the immensity of its sweetness.

But the Spirit of truth did not allow the deceit of the Evil One last long. One day, before celebrating Mass, to drive away temptations, he was saying the Psalm "Lord, judge those who harm me" (35). (67) As he was thinking of the verse, "All my bones shall say, 'Lord, who is like you?'" he was so filled with devotion that all the marrow of his bones seemed to be really watered with the Spirit of God. Then he asked the Lord, if the scent was the work of the devil, to reveal this to him. Soon he realized by the Spirit that it was a figment of the ancient enemy, trying to lead him to vain glory. From that moment the fake scent disappeared from his hands.

The Master recorded this in his booklet and told the story to the novices at Paris when I was present.

3.36 How he was joyful in poverty

When Father Jordan was travelling with many brothers to the General Chapter at Paris, one day he sent the brothers around a town to beg for bread for their lunch, telling them to gather back at a nearby fountain. When they brought a piece of a coarse loaf that would hardly be enough for four, the saint broke out in exultation and praise, and by word and example urged the brothers to do the same.

A woman who was standing there and saw this was shocked;l she said, "If you are religious, why are you so happy and playful in the morning?" When she learned that they were rejoicing in the Lord because they lacked bread and were poor, she ran home and brought them plenty of bread, wine and cheese, and recommended herself to their prayers.

3.37 The wine improved by his merits

A lady in France, devoted to God, used to receive the brothers gladly, although her husband did not like this at all. So when she received Master Jordan and his companions and were at table, her husband happened to come in. He concealed his displeasure and sat down at table, but when he saw his wife bring out the good wine for the brothers, he was even more pained and shouted to his attendant, "Go quickly and bring better wine from that cask." He said this ironically in order to annoy his wife, since that one had gone bad. The attendant brought some, served it, and it tasted like excellent wine. The man then raged at the attendant saying, "Why did you not bring from that cask which I told you?" He said that he did so exactly. He was sent back again and the same result was found. And as bad wine turned into good wine, so that man turned for the better and became a lover of the brothers and helped his wife in giving them alms.

3.38 A woman devoted to him

In order to inspire the brothers, Master Jordan once told the story of a noble lady who was a widow and very devoted to him. She had been attacked for twelve years by a spirit of blaspheming the name of the Lord; for this reason she thought herself unworthy to take only the last place in church and was afraid even to look at the altar. After all these years God looked on her with the eye of his mercy, and Master Jordan had the idea that any woman who fought so well such a strong temptation for such a long time must have received some spiritual gifts from the Lord. So once he privately asked her about it, and he found that she now had the special privilege of finding consolation where before she was tempted. For when the body of Christ was elevated at Mass, she saw him in the shape of a child more beautiful than could be imagined. She said humbly that she had this vision not just now and again, but often, although she was not worthy.

This goes to show that where a man sins there he is punished, and where a man is tempted there he later obtains wonderful consolation. Such examples are also found in many of the lives of the fathers. Two elder brothers recounted this story.

3.39 The woman whom he delivered from poison and sin

A woman who frequently fell back into the same serious sins fell into such desperation that, to kill herself, she swallowed a poisonous spider. As death was coming near, she was sorry and began to call on the Mother of mercy with tears. Then she heard a voice telling her, "Brother Jordan, the Master of the Order of Preachers, is about to come; call for him, telling him that I sent you to him; make your confession to him and you will be saved." The saint came and the woman confessed her sins. As she vomited out her sins, she vomited the spider and the poison as well. She thanked God for being completely healed.

3.40 The vision and miracles that took place at his death

Master Jordan died on 13 February 1236, after visiting the sacred places of the Holy Land, as the following letter attests:

To the venerable and beloved Prior and convent of Paris. From Brothers Godfrey and Reginald, penitentiaries of our lord the Pope: peace and the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

We want you to know that the severity of the sea and the wind drove on shore the ship which carried our sweet father and master Jordan with two brothers and ninety-nine other persons and they all passed from this wicked world. Yet, dearest, let your hearts not be afraid, because our kind Father and God of consolation provided us orphans with peaceful consolation after the storm. As the bodies that washed ashore from the shipwreck lay unburied, those who were carrying them for burial testify that they saw lights from heaven shining on them each night, and many of them saw many crosses over them. The local people who came to see this miracle also found an extremely sweet scent; those who buried the three brothers testify that the strong scent did not leave their hands for ten days. The same sweet scent spread wide around the burial ground until the brothers from Acre came in a boat and transferred them to their church, where Father Jordan now rests and gives multiple benefits to many.

Blessed be God in all things. Amen.

3.41 The revelation of his death

In the convent of Limoges, which was one of the first in the Order, there was a brother who loved Master Jordan very much. Long before his death was known beyond the Alps, he was praying alone in the church after Matins, especially for the Master, who he had heard was overseas. Then the Lord spoke to his heart with a heavenly voice and he suddenly slept off. He saw himself on the shore of a wide and deep sea where there were many dead bodies recently brought up from the sea. While he was wondering at this, he saw the Master suddenly emerging from the depths of the water, fastened to a cross, happier than usual, with his hands and feet extended as Blessed Andrew is depicted, and moving fast without any help to heaven. As this brother looked on stupefied, the Blessed Father smiled kindly at him and said, "Unless I go away, the Paraclete will not come to you" (John 16:17). At that, with his hands lifted and fastened to the cross, he was lifted with the cross to heaven. When this scene disappeared, the brother saw his seal lying on the ground. Later when Master Jordan's death was announced and described, he fully understood what the vision meant.

3.42 The nun consoled by him

At that time there was an old nun named Lutgarde in a Cistercian monastery in Aywières in Brabant; the Lord had worked many miracles through her in her life and even after her death. She knew Blessed Father Jordan and was very devoted to him. After serving the Lord as a nun for forty years, she was blind from old age and weeping. On the day before Christmas the Blessed Father appeared to her in this way: She had been praying since the hour of Prime to None without feeling any solid devotion; as she was growing tired, she cried out, "Good Lord, why am I suffering this? Certainly if I had a friend in heaven or on earth who was praying for me I would not feel such hardness of heart." As she said this with tears, a brother appeared before the eyes of her mind, so bright and glorious that she could not recognize him because of the great light. Astounded, she asked, "Who are you, sir?" "I am Brother Jordan, once Master of the Order of Preachers. I have gone from this world to glory and have been lifted to the choir of apostles and prophets; I have now been sent to you to console you on this happy feast. So be reassured, because soon you will be crowned by the Lord. (68) But do not fail to say the Psalm (67) May God have pity on us and bless us with the collect of the Holy Spirit, which you promised, at my request, to say for our Order till the end of your life." After that he disappeared, leaving her in such consolation as she had never had before.

The venerable Father revealed the same in a different way to a brother of our Order, showing that he was given a place among the great leaders of the Church in heaven. All this has been written in the life of Blessed Lutgarde. (69)

3.43 The Carmelite confirmed in his own Order by him

A brother of the Carmelite Order was tempted to quit, when he heard that Brother Jordan had drowned. He then became all the more disturbed, saying to himself, "Anyone who serves the Lord does so in vain. Either this man who suffered such a death was not good, or God does not reward well those who serve him." He was resolved to leave the next morning, when in the night a most beautiful person appeared to him and surrounded him with great light. The brother was filled with fear and awe and said, "Lord Jesus Christ, help me and show me what this is." The person replied, "Do not worry, dear brother; I am Brother Jordan about whom you doubted. Everyone will be saved who serves the Lord Jesus Christ to the end." He then disappeared, leaving the brother completely consoled.

The very brother and the prior of that Order, Brother Simon, a religious and trustworthy man, told this story to our brothers.

3.44 Miracles worked on invoking him

Father Jordan had appointed a sister of excellent life as prioress of a monastery of sisters. After many years of praiseworthy service in that office, she became paralysed and could not move from one place to another without help. She repeatedly asked to be relieved of her office, but at the insistence of the community she was always refused her request, because, in spite of her sickness, no one else seemed so suitable for the office.

3.44.1 After the death of Master Jordan, when many claimed various miracles upon invoking his name, she had herself carried into the church before the altar while the community was at dinner. She sent away the sisters who brought her and devoutly asked Blessed Jordan, whom she firmly believed to be with the glorified Christ, to obtain for her from the Lord either an early death, so that she would no longer be a burden to the sisters, or that the superiors of the Order would absolve her from office, or that she would be given the strength and health to carry out the office. Immediately she felt a divine power coming into her and she began to move first one foot, then the other. She got out of the stretcher and began walking around the choir to see if she was really healed. As she did so, the refectory bell rang, and the sisters processed to the church singing the Psalm (51) Be merciful to me, God. When the youngest sisters, who were in the front of the procession, saw her, they wondered if it was really the prioress walking like that. When the cantor arrived with the older sisters at the end, and saw her walking erect, after leaving her on a stretcher a short while before, she interrupted the Psalm and intoned loudly the Te Deum laudamus. The community sang so vigorously that the neighbours heard and thought they were being attacked by robbers; so they rushed with arms prepared to defend them. But when they heard the prioress tell the story herself through the window, they likewise praised God.

3.44.2 In Prague, the capital of Bohemia, there was a citizen named Gunsic, who had a wife named Elizabeth. She was near childbirth, and had often felt the child moving in her womb, as pregnant women do, but for three days she felt nothing and became worried. Then at night, when she went into labour, she dedicted the child, if it were male, to Saint Jordan, Master of the Order of Preachers, asserting that it was impossible for him not to be a saint, since she had heard how gloriously he lived and taught; but if the child was a girl she dedicted her to Saint Elizabeth, who was recently canonized. (70)

When the child was born, she asked the midwives whether it was a boy or a girl. They answered that it was a boy, but it was dead. Then the mother began to wail inconsolably, constantly invoking the intercession of Blessed Jordan to restore her son. She did this from about midnight, always looking on the child. Finally, to see if it were alive, they put the child at that time of winter into very cold water, and they saw no sign of life. Those who attended the mother tried to console her and joined her in invoking Blessed Jordan. At daybreak, she looked again at the boy and then she found him alive. She thanked God and Blessed Jordan, and gave her son the name Jordan in testimony of the miracle God had worked through him.

When the bell for Prime was rung in the house of the Preaching Brothers, she sent for the brothers to examine the miracle. Brother Timo of Poland, then lectuer at Prague, together with Brother Simon, formerly an archdeacon and then subprior and later prior of that house, were sent, and they found everything exactly as was told, with all the attendants testifying to the fact.

We pass over for the present many other miracles that happened after Master Jordan's death, especially at Acre, where his holy body was brought.

3.44.3 A brother who seemed to be outstanding in knowledge and authority was told to go to a faraway convent that he did not know. He did not take that assignment kindly and went around all day protesting and saying, "What have I done to merit this? Why was I sent? Who advised this? Who was behind it?" One day while he was protesting before a companion, the Lord, from whom nothing is hidden, suddenly struck him to the ground and he was almost unconscious. His face and mouth swelled up and his tongue became so big that it filled his mouth, it really seemed he was struck by God as his sins deserved. The brother who was with him was terrified and pained, embarrassed both for himself and for the Order, and did not know what to do.

In such a state of confusion, it occurred to him to ask God for help through the merits of Master Jordan who had just died; so he said, "O Master Jordan, kind Father who brought this Order to such heights, help me, your son, now, and do not let your Order be shamed because of what happened to this brother. Lord God, by the prayers and merits of your servant, Master Jordan, deliver us from this problem." Then he turned to the brother and spoke aloud, "Brother, think of what happened to you because of your sins and the complaints which you kept making every day; make a vow in your heart to God and Master Jordan that if he delivers you you will stop complaining and will fulfil your assignment in peace." The sick brother repented at these words and, becoming more conscious, showed his agreement to do so by nodding, since he could not speak. God's punishment is wondrous, but his condescension even more so! As soon as the brother made the vow in his heart and directed his prayers devoutly to Master Jordan, he was immediately restored to health, and he carried out his assignment not only patiently but happily.

Each of these brothers, from different locations, told this story in the same way to Brother Humbert, Master of the Order.

3.45 His prudent replies and words

3.45.1 A layman once asked Master Jordan, "Master, is the Our Father said by us laity, who are ignorant of its power, worth as much as it is said by the clergy who understand what they are saying?" The Master replied, "Its worth is like that of a precious stone, which has the same value in the hand of one who does not know its worth as it does in the hand of one who does."

3.45.2 Master Jordan once came to Emperor Frederick (71) and, after sitting together in silence for a long time, the Master finally said, "Sir, I travel through many provinces because of my office, and I wonder why you do not ask me about rumours." The Emperor replied, "I have my spies in all provinces and courts, and I know everything that happens in the world." The Master came back, "The Lord Jesus Christ knows everything as God, and yet he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' Certainly you are a man and are ignorant of many things that are said about you, which would be very useful for you to know. For example, it is said that you oppress the Church, you despise the judgements of its courts, you pay attention to fortune tellers, you give too much favour to Jews and Saracens, you do not listen to true counsellors, you do not honour the Vicar of Christ and Successor of Blessed Peter, who is the father of Christians and your spiritual lord. These things certainly are not becoming to your person." So diplomatically he gave him many corrections.

3.45.3 When someone asked him what rule he had, he answered, "The rule of the Preaching Brothers; and their rule is to live, learn and teach well. David asked God for these three things when he said, 'Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge' (Psalm 119:66)." (72)

3.45.4 A diocesan priest said to the Master, "Master, why do we secular priests sometimes say among ourselves that after your brothers and the Franciscans came, there have never been good times on earth as before?"

The Master answered, "I could deny this if I wanted, and demonstrate the contrary, but I will show you what is just. When we came to the world we showed people how to recognize many sins which they did not recognize before. When they refused to avoid them, these sins became more serious, since a sin committed with knowledge is more serious. Because of people's serious sins, God sent sterility to the earth, as the prophet said, "He changed a land of fruit into salt flats, because of the wickedness of those who dwelt there" (Psalm 107:66); so God is just in sending draught and storms now.

But I tell you, unless you reform according to your knowledge, doing what you ought to do and avoiding what you ought to avoid, he will treat you worse, because he did not lie when he said in the gospel: 'The servant who knows what his master wants, but has done nothing will be given a great many strokes of the lash' (Luke 12:47)."

3.45.5 At the time when Brother John Vincent of Bologna was preaching with great fruit and had stirred up all of Lombardy with his grace of miracles and preaching, and many people were coming to see and hear him, a General Chapter was held in Bologna. (73) Some important learned ambassadors of the city of Bologna came to the Master, the diffinitors and other brothers gathered there and asked them, on behalf of the whole city, not to remove Brother John from that city. Among the many reasons they presented very strongly, was that he was very good at spreading the word of God in the city, and in his absence all the fruit that was hoped for from his preaching could be lost.

The Master commended their devotion and good will towards the Order and said, "Good sirs, the reason that you brought forward, that Brother John should stay here because he sowed the word of God and it would perish if he left, does not move us very much, because it is not the custom of those who have sowed grain in the field to bring their bed there and lie and wait to see it bear fruit. Rather they commend the seed and the field to God and go to sow in another field. So it may be suitable for Brother John to go and sow the word of God elsewhere, as was written of the Saviour: 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too' (Luke 4:42). Yet, because of the love we have for your city, our diffinitors will consider your petition and, by God's grace, will do what should satisfy you."

3.45.6 Once, when Master Jordan was in a Cistercian abbey, many monks surrounded him and asked him, "Master, how can your Order survive, since you have only alms to live on? You know well that, although the world is devoted to you now, it is written in the gospel that "love in most people will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12); then you will not have alms and will collapse."

The Master answered meekly, "I will demonstrate from your words why your Order will fail before ours: Look in the gospel and you will find that the statement "Love in most people will grow cold" was written about the time when wickedness will abound and there will be intolerable persecutions. You well know that at that time those persecutors and tyrants who abound in iniquity will confiscate your temporal goods, and then you, who are not used to going from place to place looking for alms, will necessarily collapse. But our brothers will then be dispersed and produce greater fruit, just as the apostles who, dispersed at the time of persecution, were not very terrified, but went from place to place, two by two, and sought their livelihood as they were accustomed. I also tell you, that those who take from you would willingly give to us, because we have experienced that robbers and extorters would very gladly give us alms from what they take from others, if we were willing to accept it."

3.45.7 Once on the road Master Jordan gave one of his tunics to a scoundrel who pretended to be poor and sick, and the man put it on and entered a tavern. A brother who saw this said to the Master, "Master, look at what you have done with your tunic. That scoundrel has now gone into the tavern wearing it." The Master replied, "I did so because I believed that he was a poor and sick man in great need, and it seemed very merciful to help him; I still think it is better for me to have lost my tunic than to have lost mercy."

3.45.8 Pope Gregory commissioned some brothers to visitate certain monasteries (74) and, without observing the provisions of Canon Law, they deposed some abbots because they found them to be bad. The Pope and cardinals were so upset about this that they wanted to annul what the brothers had done.

Then the Master intervened to placate them and said, "Holy Father, once I wanted to stop at a Cistercian abbey and I found the usual road which leads to the gate long and winding, and it would have been tiring for me and my companions to wind around so much, since the abbey was near and right before our eyes. So I went through the field and came quickly to the door. Were the porter to have said to me, 'You cannot enter because you did not come by the right road; go back and come by the proper road; otherwise you will not enter,' would that not be too severe? So, Holy Father, the brothers did not follow the procedures of law, which they may have thought too complicated. Yet those abbots clearly deserved to be deposed, as you can easily find out by inquiry; so please sustain what they have done, by whatever way they have done it."

3.45.9 Once he was asked why so many students from faculties of arts entered the Order, but students of theology and Canon Law were slower to enter. He answered: "Country people who drink water are more affected by good wine than noble men and city people, who are used to strong wine. Students of arts spend the whole week drinking the water of Aristotle and other philosophers; so when they drink the words of Christ or his apostles in a Sunday or feast day sermon, they are immediately affected by the wine of the Holy Spirit; then they give not just what they have, but themselves to God. But theologians hear much about God and they become like the village sacristan who frequently crosses before the altar and becomes irreverent, often turning his back to it, while outsiders bow reverently before it."

3.45.10 Once he came to a gathering of important bishops and they asked why bishops who were taken from various religious orders did not behave so well as bishops. He said, "That is your fault. When they were in our Order we corrected them well. But the bad behaviour you are complaining about happens when they are in your order. Besides, for all the years I have been in this Order I never remember that the Lord Pope or any legate or cathedral chapter petitioned me or any other superior or a general or provincial chapter to give them a good bishop, but they choose the one they like, whether because of family relationship or some other less spiritual reason. So we are not to blame for what happens."

3.45.11 He also said that it was not surprising if our brothers performed more poorly than other religious as bishops, because our brothers are going more against their profession, since we possess nothing as individuals or in common. So when they come to have property, they go more against their profession than other religious who at least can own things in common.

3.45.12 In one General Chapter he could not preach to the gathering because he was very sick. Asked at least to give them some consoling word, he went into the chapter room and said, "Brothers, during this week we often say, "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4). You know that something that is full cannot receive more, but what is poured in spills over. The holy Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, because they were empty of their own spirit, and that is what we sing in the Psalm (104:29): 'Take back your spirit they die, and return to their clay,' that is, die from themselves, so that they may make progress in you. He then says, 'Send forth your Spirit, they are created anew,' meaning: If by your grace they empty themselves of their private will and feelings and love of self, they will be filled with your Holy Spirit." At these words the brothers were greatly encouraged.

3.45.13 Once he warned the brothers to avoid light faults, saying: "I and other superiors are like a shepherd who has more trouble keeping one goat than a hundred sheep. Thus one insolent brother is a greater burden to the superior and a greater disturbance to the community than two hundred other brothers who are like sheep following their shepherds, understanding his whistle, not abandoning their companions, but staying together as they go, stop, rest, eat, drink and devour grass; they are always productive and seldom ill at ease. But some, like goats, disturb the shepherd and the flock, running, making noise, jamming their heads against their companions, jumping in the air, straying from the road, harming the work of others, not obeying the staff or shout of the shepherd, and having a short tail signifying repentance of short duration, and there they display their shit. For God's sake, dearest brothers, avoid these goat traits and remain the sheep of God."

3.45.14 He once warned the brothers to avoid idle talk, saying: "Dearest brothers, you see how we gradually flatten while singing the Psalms, no matter how high they are intoned. Likewise when we begin a good conversation, we gradually slip into useless talk because of human corruption. But a good man will be aware of this and, just as a cantor in choir finds a suitable place to raise the tone, so he will cut in on idle or harmful talk and lift the tone of the conversation with good words or stories. In the same way when not only our words but our religious fervour cools because of corruption from the flesh, we should stimulate one another towards observance."

3.45.15 Someone remarked in front of the Master that a certain brother was so great and good that he ought to be a bishop. He replied, "I would rather see him carried on a stretcher to the grave than see him raised to an episcopal throne."

3.45.16 A certain German nobleman who was lord of the land where the Master's mother lived confiscated her cow; the son of this nobleman had been led into the Order by the Master himself. Some representatives of this nobleman complained bitterly to the Master that he had taken his son away from him. Jordan gave them this answer to console and placate them: "You know that, according to German custom, if someone does wrong to another person's mother and the son takes vengeance on him, no German will consider this evil. Since the lord of both of us wronged my mother by taking away her cow, how can you or he consider it evil that I took a calf away from him, that is, his son?"

3.45.17 While overseas, the Master was invited by the Knights Templar to give them a talk. Since they were French and he knew very little French, he did his best to learn. When they were assembled in a square before him, there was a wall behind him, as high as a man. He began by showing them that, although he knew very little French, he trusted that from a few French words they would understand his whole talk. So he said, "If there were an donkey behind that wall and he lifted his head so that you could just see his ears, you would all know that there was a complete donkey there. Thus from a small part we can understand the whole. Similarly, if you can understand only a little of my long discourse, by it you will be able to understand all that I say, even if part of it is in German."

3.45.18 The Master once was travelling with some companions and many novices that he had received into the Order. They came to a place where they had no convent, and stayed at a guesthouse. As they began to pray Compline, one of the novices began laughing, and soon all the novices were laughing loudly. One of the Master's companions tried to stop them by waving his hands, but they only laughed the more. The Master then suspended Compline, gave the blessing and said to his companion, "Brother, who made you novice master, that you should correct them?" Then he said to the novices, "Dearest brothers, laugh loudly and do not stop because of this brother. You have my permission. You have every reason to be joyful and to laugh, since you have come out of the devil's prison, and his bonds that held you for many years are broken. So laugh, dearest brothers; laugh!" They were encouraged by these words and afterwards were unable to laugh uncontrollably.

3.45.19 While the Master was once preaching at Paris to people long habituated to sin, he remembered the Scriptural term "gate of hell" (Matthew 16:18), which is applicable to sin, and said, "If one of you came today to this convent and found a student sitting at the door, and you found him there tomorrow and for many days, wouldn't you suppose that one day he would enter the Order? Likewise, don't you suppose that those who sit for a long time at the gate of hell will one day enter it?"

3.45.20 The Master once said: "Just as a mason who is repairing a sagging wall exposes some stones that were inside and chops off others that were exposed, so must a superior treat the brothers, sending out to work to some who too much like to hide, and keeping inside others who would always prefer to be going out."

3.45.21 Sometimes the Master would preach the same sermon on different occasions. When objection was made, he answered: "If someone collected good leaves and took the trouble to make sauce with them, should he throw this out to go and collect other leaves?"

3.45.22 He also said, "If I had studied any subject as much as I have studied the words of the Apostle, "I became all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:22), (75) I would be acclaimed a master of that subject. For I have always tried to conform to others without deforming myself: at one time to a soldier, another to a religious, sometimes to a cleric and sometimes to someone suffering temptation."

3.45.23 The Master was trying to get an apostate brother back to the Order, and for this needed the consent of the brothers in chapter. Since one of them would not agree, he said, "Although the man has committed many sins, if you leave him like that he may commit many more." When the brother who objected said that this was not his concern, the Master replied, "Certainly, brother, if you had shed one drop of blood for him as Christ shed all his blood for him you would feel concerned." The brother then realized he was wrong and, ashamed, threw himself on the ground and willingly agreed.

3.45.24 A brother was feeling scrupulous about the alms he collected every day, because he thought it would be difficult to repay so many benefits with his prayers. He put his doubts to the Master, who said, "Spiritual goods cannot be valued in terms of temporal goods; they infinitely surpass them and are incomparably better. So be sure that all the alms you have received can be fully repaid by one Our Father said devoutly."

3.45.25 A brother who held the office of procurator asked to be relieved of it, and the Master replied: "There are four things which usually go with an office. These are negligence, impatience, work and merit. I absolve you from the first two; the other two I impose on you for the remission of your sins."

3.45.26 One brother accused another in chapter for touching the hand of a woman, but he replied, "She was a good woman." Then the Master, who presided, said, "Rain is good and earth is good, but the two together make mud. The same for the hands of a man and a woman; though each is good, the two together often create evil affection."

3.45.27 A brother asked Master Jordan whether it was better to spend time in prayer or in studying Scripture. He said, "Which is better, only to drink or only to eat? Both have to be done alternately; the same for these activities."

3.45.28 A brother asked the Master to teach him the best way to pray. He answered, "Good brother, whatever stirs you to greater devotion, do that and do not abandon it. For what best nourishes your affection is the best thing for your prayer."


61. The Compline hymn for Paschal time.

62. JK: 'see the beauty of Yahweh in the land of life eternal.'

63. Jordan preached there in 1229 and 1237.

64. Compare this story with 1.6.7.

65. A taunt at the fact that Jordan had only one good eye.

66. Jordan preached there in 1236 before going to the Holy Land.

67. JK: "Attack, Yahweh, those who attack me."

68. She died on 16 June 1246.

69. Written by Thomas Cantipratano, in the Bollandist Acts for 23 June.

70. By Gregory IX on 1 June 1235.

71. Frederick II, 1211-1250.

72. JK: 'Teach me good judgment and knowledge.'

73. In June 1223.

74. Gregory IX, on 4 September 1227, appointed Brothers Joachim of St. Mary and Brother Jordan, both priors, and Brother Gandolph to this task.

75. JB: "I accommodate myself to people in all kinds of different situations"