Stigmata of St Francis

To-morrow is commemorated the impression of the sacred stigmata of St Francis; here is a hymn translated by Edward Caswall, appropriate to the coming day:

ST. FRANCIS. 

Crucis Christi mons Alvernae.

LET Alverna's holy mountain 

That high mystery proclaim, 

Of the stamps of life eternal 

Which on blessed Francis came ; 

While he sobb'd, and while he sigh'd, 

Grieving for the Crucified.

There, within a lonely cavern, 

Far from all the world withdrawn, 

As the Saint his watch was keeping, 

With incessant scourgings torn ; 

Ever musing more and more 

On the wounds that Jesus bore ; —

As he pray'd in cold and hunger ; 

As he pour'd his glowing tears ; 

In his fervent spirit mounting 

Far above terrestrial spheres,

Every earthly thing forgot 

In his Saviour's bitter lot ; —

Lo to him, in form seraphic, 

Borne upon a cross on high, 

Six irradiant wings expanding, 

Came the King of glory nigh ! 

Gazing on him with a face 

Of benignity and grace.

He that tender glance returning, 

Saw th' Incarnate Light of Light; 

Saw his gracious meek Redeemer, 

Rob'd in glory infinite; 

Drank the words that from Him fell,- 

Words divine, unspeakable !

Straightway all the sacred summit 

Kindles like a flaming pyre; 

Holy Francis sinks enraptur'd, 

Fainting with ecstatic fire ; 

And upon his flesh appear- 

Christ's immortal stigmata !

Honour to the high Redeemer, 

Who for us in torments died ; 

In whose image blessed Francis 

Suffer'd and was sanctified, 

Counting every thing but loss 

For the glory of the Cross.