The Bishop's Judgement

Bernardone, furious at his son's behavior, brought him before the bishop for judgment. "Frances," said the latter, "if you have any money belong to your father, restore it to him, since his anger arises from your giving his money to the poor." When he was in front of the bishop, he neither delayed nor hesitated, but immediately took off and threw down all his clothes and returned them to his father. He did not even keep his trousers on, and he was completely stripped bare before everyone.

The bishop, observing his frame of mind and admiring his fervor and determination, got up and, gather him in his own arms, covered him with the mantle he was wearing. He clearly understood that this was prompted by God and he knew that the action of the man of God, which he had personally observed, contained a mystery. After this he became his helper. Cherishing and comforting him, he embraced him in the depths of charity... "Within earshot of many who had gathered about, he declared: "From now on I will say freely: 'Our Father who art in heaven', and not 'My father, Pietro di Bernardone.' Look, not only do I return his money; I give him back all my clothes. I will go to the Lord naked."