CHAPTER XII

Of the simplicity of his garb

(1)

THE good Florentius, being a lover of simplicity and lowliness, knew that an ornate attire doth not make the Priest, but rather lowliness of heart and righteousness of character, and therefore put away from him all adornment in attire and everything that pertained to the pomps of the world and ostentation before men, so as to preserve the better his purity of conscience. So after that he was made a priest he sought not softer clothing as being more appropriate to himself than to others, but was contented with the Common and simple garb like the rest of the Brothers, and this he did that the outer garb might answer to the inner man. For having God ever before his eyes, he did not love that adornment and care for the body which passeth away, but kept his eye open to see the virtues of the soul.

(2) Yet he was careful not to give the least occasion of offence to the weak, either by his garb, or by anything that is a necessity of nature, choosing according to Christ’s example that which is more proper to lowliness and in less esteem amongst men. Therefore he did not wear one garment on festivals and another on ordinary days, but only a more highly ornamented vestment at the Celebration of Mass on Feast Days for his reverence to the Sacrament, and in this he kept within the bounds of due decency.

The almuce that he wore was somewhat old and 106faded, and was in many places moth-eaten and threadbare. When I saw him come across to the Choir in such a garment I was grieved that a priest so good and honourable should go about in such mean and lowly garments. He did not wear elegant sandals like other Vicars in the Church, but in place thereof low and coarse wooden shoes, soled with old leather, which made no clatter as he entered the Choir. His cloak and robe were of grey cloth, for though his uncle who loved him had given him a new robe, he would not wear it because it seemed too honourable, and he ever preferred simple things to costly. His hood was black, or dark in colour, and so worn as to cover both shoulders and the bare part of the neck, for so it was made for him. He wore scanty sleeves tied back with but few strings, the hinder parts were patched from time to time with new cloth as they wore through with age, for this humble priest of God did not blush to wear an ancient garment patched by the tailor, and indeed he and all his Brothers contended in holy rivalry which should wear the meaner garments, and each strove to surpass the other in this regard.

(3) On one occasion, when a Secular Priest was present, Florentius was discoursing devoutly of God, and his hearer standing near him was busied with the beautiful and curiously embroidered sleeves which he wore, turning his hands now in this direction now in that and Florentius looking kindly at him said: “My brother, see what sort of sleeves I wear, they do not occupy my mind nor disquiet me. To wear such long ones as thou dost would be a weariness and a burden to me.” Hearing this, and blushing somewhat, the other stood more quietly and taking 107the saying in good part, went away edified, being instructed in simplicity of attire by the example of Florentius.

(4) At another time he called to him the tailor who was to make him a new cloak, and said: “Sir, do you know how to make a mean garment?” and he answered: “I know not that I can do so, but tell me, Sir, what sort of garment thou dost desire?” Then said the humble Master Florentius to the tailor: “Make of that cloth four parts, and sew them together without folds that I may put on or take off the garment easily; so made it will be good enough for me.” To this the tailor wondering much replied: “O my beloved Master, how can this be? How can I wilfully destroy a good piece of cloth? I will make it well as is more suitable.” Then said the meek and lowly priest: “Why should one take care for the adorning of the outward man? For the love of God make it in the simplest way thou canst; for so is it more pleasing to me; since it is fitting that I should have simple garments for the edification of others.”

O noble Priest of Christ! who wert ever inclined to lowliness, who the better to please God didst put away all delicate living from thee!