About the holy man Brother Francis Palamone, priest and preacher

Called the Palamone, Brother Francis was from the city of Reggio of Calabria. He was born to honest parents. As a boy he attended school and became a very good humanist. However when he came to about eighteen years of age he recognised the fallacies of the world and turned his back on them. With great fervour he left them for the service of God and took up the habit in the Franciscan Order in which he led a most exemplary life. When those Fathers saw his keen intelligence and good ways, they set him to study because he was a devout young man already well introduced to learning. Applying himself to learning he became an excellent preacher in a short time. The Zoccolanti Fathers of that Province loved him very much. He was the beloved companion and compatriot of Brother Louis of Reggio, one of the principals who desired Reform.

As it pleased the Lord God, when he heard about the coming of coming of the Congregation of Capuchins, together with the other Fathers he took up the Capuchin habit and found himself amid the persecutions and travails of those early Fathers of the Province of Calabria. Among the notable things that are said about this holy man was that God allowed him a very great temptation for many months. It was this. He worried about whether the Congregation was from god or not since it was attacked so atrociously. During that temptation he was often in danger of leaving and returning to whence he came. However the Spirit told him that this was a temptation of the devil. It was very painful for him to be so embattled. In his heart he regretted it very much, given the great difference there was between the way of life where he was and the one to which he was tempted to return and when he thought about having to leave the company of the venerable Father Louis and all the other first Fathers whom he loved so much. Therefore he afflicted himself very much with fasts, disciplines and holy prayers. He commended himself with many tears to the Lord God so that He might give him victory over this temptation. In so far as human frailty permits he did not fail to help himself either by all the means he could, seeking the advice of different persons in which he hoped he could be enlightened. It pleased the Lord God who never fails anyone who hopes in His Majesty and faithfully commends himself to Him, that once when he was going to a friary of those Religious to whom he was tempted to return, and he found there a very good Father, his particular friend. Speaking with him secretly he said to him, “Father, you know how much I trust you. Tell me simply where, according to you, is the true observance of the rule: among you or among us capuchins?” Inspired by god he answered him, “How is it possible that you, being a learned and spiritual man, could be persuaded that there be more observance of the Rule among us than among you Capuchins since you have experienced both? Who doesn’t know that the true observance of the Rule is among the Capuchins? Begin with poverty. There is not a shred of it among us.”

He was very consoled by this reply and he decided to no longer want to leave. Nonetheless he still felt himself vigorously attacked in his mind by the infernal enemy. Therefore the following night, persevering in prayer in the church after Matins and commending himself with many tears to the Lord so that He might free him, His Majesty wanted to make him know very clearly that this was the worst kind of temptation from the devil. The Lord appeared to him visibly in the air and with a loud voice told him, “Why do you go asking those Friars about the observance of the Rule since they have turned their backs on me?” Thus with many sweet and suave words He encouraged him to perseverance. He said, “Know that the Congregation of Capuchins is very acceptable to me. I assure you that by your persevering in it you will be acceptable to me in the true observance of the Rule.” The Palamone knew clearly that this was a true vision and apparition of Our Lord Jesus Christ from then on he was completely clear in his mind and confirmed in perseverance without ever being tempted in this was again. He reveal this to a Father in his fraternity. After his death this Friar revealed it to the Fathers of the Congregation. Because he was a trustworthy man they wrote down this example on paper.

Therefore this servant of God was very fervent in all the virtues. Above all he was a man of great prayer. Usually he never went to rest after Matins and customarily persevered in prayer until day. He liked very much to speak about God and bore marvellous fruit both with the Friars and with seculars. His zeal for the salvation of souls was such that he often gave four or five sermons in a day. His great fervour, together with an immense love for God was such that he never seemed tired. He was very zealous about holy poverty, especially in regard to clothing. He always wanted the lowliest garments in the friary and that were completely patched. He rarely ate more than once a day. However on the vigils of Our Lady he always fasted on bread and water. He was very zealous about time. He always occupied himself for most of the time in holy prayer. He was never idle. He spoke little and no one ever heard an idle word come from his mouth.

The Lord God worked many miracles that I will not write down since I am not well informed about them.

It pleased the Lord to want to reward this servant of His for when he fell gravely ill, after having received the most holy sacraments, full of merits that happy soul passed away to its creator.

To the praise and glory of the Lord. Amen.