A Generous Impulse

One day the young Francis dismissed a beggar from his father's shop. He was at once sorry for what he had done, and running after the poor man, gave him a rich present. From that day forth he resolved never to refuse anything that was asked of him in God's Name.

On one occasion, however, when Francis was caught up in the pressure of business, contrary to his usual manner of acting, he sent away empty-handed a poor man who had begged alms for the love of God. Immediately turning back to his heart, he ran after him, and, gently with extravagant alms, he promised God that from that moment, while he had the means, he would not refuse those who begged from him for the love of God. He observed this with untiring piety until his death and merited an abundant increase of grace and love for God. For afterwards, when he had perfectly put on Christ, he would say that even while he was in secular attire, he could scarcely ever hear any mention of the divine love without being deeply moved in his heart.