Born into a noble family in the Abruzzi, the Franciscan
friar Thomas of Celano is best known as the
first biographer of St. FRANCIS OF ASSISI and as an
eyewitness to the early world of Francis’s followers.
No contemporary biography of Thomas exists, but
references in his own writings and in those of others
allow a reconstruction of the important elements
of his life. Thomas’s exceptional writing
ability, his theological acumen, and his knowledge
of the monastic literary tradition indicate that he
was well educated in both the liberal arts and theology.
Thomas probably refers to himself in The
Life of Saint Francis when he describes Francis’s
return from Spain in 1215: “some literate men and
nobles gladly joined him. He [Francis] received
such men with honor and dignity, since he himself
was very noble and distinguished in spirit, and respectfully
gave to each his due. In fact since he was
endowed with outstanding discernment, he wisely
considered in all matters the dignity of rank of
each one” (Early Documents 2001,Vol. 1, 231).
During the Franciscan Chapter of 1221, Thomas
was chosen for the mission to Germany, where he
subsequently became vicar. He probably returned
to Italy by 1228 for Francis’s canonization. For the
occasion Pope Gregory IX commissioned Thomas
to write the first official account of Francis’s life,
The Life of Saint Francis (conventionally called
Celano I), which was completed in 1229. His vivid
description of the canonization events in Book 3
implies that he was present. Next, in 1230, Thomas
completed a set of nine lessons on Francis’s life for
the liturgical celebration of the divine office, The
Legend for Use in the Choir. Thomas’s second life of
Francis was commissioned by the Franciscans
themselves, at the command of the minister general.
The Remembrance of the Desire of Soul (conventionally
called Celano II) was completed in
1247, and reflects a fuller portrait of the saint with
a shift from biography to an exploration of the way
of life that Francis founded. Besides Francis, three
other historical figures are honored in the text:
Clare of Assisi, Elias Buonbarone (the first minister
general), and Hugolino dei Conti Segni (Pope
Gregory IX). At about the same time Thomas also
composed The Tract on the Miracles of St. Francis.
Thomas is also an important source for the life
of St. Clare, who appears in Celano I and II. Because
he was present at many of the events involving
her, it is assumed that shortly after her death
in 1253, he wrote The Legend of Saint Clare, a text
used for her canonization. Perhaps Thomas is also
the author of Dies irae, the plainsong of the requiem
Mass, which describes Judgment and Jesus’
prayer for mercy based in part on Zephaniah
1.14–16.
Bibliography
Celano, Thomas. St. Francis of Assisi: First and Second
Life of St. Francis with Selections from the Treatise
on the Miracles of Blessed Francis. Translated with
introduction and footnotes by Placid Hermann.
Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1988.
Clare of Assisi. Early Documents. Edited and translated
by Regis J. Armstrong. New York: Paulist
Press, 1988.
Francis of Assisi. The Early Documents. Edited by Regis
J. Armstrong, J. A.Wayne Hellman, and William
Short. 3 vols. New York: New City Press, 2001.
Cynthia Ho