Ash Wednesday

When the nuns at St. Damian's had come together,to hear the word of God, though no less also to see their father St. Francis, he raised his eyes to heaven, where his heart always was and began to pray to Christ. He then commanded ashes to be brought to him and he made a circle with them around himself on the pavement and sprinkled the rest of them on his head. He remained in the circle in silence. The saint suddenly rose and to the amazement of the nuns recited the Miserere mei Deus in place of a sermon. When he had finished he quickly left. By his actions he taught them that they should regard themselves as ashes...

Saint Francis of Assisi

Celano, Second Life

Chapter CLVII

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