Thomas of Celano

(d. 1260)

   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