Chesterton's little book about St. Francis of Assisi proves to be fascinating. I was especially impressed by the picture we get of St. Francis' rashness and impetuousness. Not characteristics I expected in a Saint, but very fitting for the founder of the Franciscan order.
Even as a young man St. Francis ran through the streets after a beggar to give him some money. Then he did something characteristic: "[He] swore before God that he would never all his life refuse to help a poor man. The sweeping simplicity of this undertaking is extremely characteristic. Never was any man so little afraid of his own promises. His life was one riot of rash vows; of rash vows that turned out right.".
St. Francis wanted to be a French poet (troubadour), or a soldier. But after "his vision of dependence on the divine love, he flung himself into fasting and vigil exactly as he had flung himself furiously into battle. Het had wheeled his charger clean round, but there was no halt or check in the thundering impetuosity of his charge.".
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