Once, when St. Francis of Assisi was traveling with Br. Leo (one of the saint’s early followers), they found themselves in a lodging where they had no books with which to pray their divine office. And so when the time came to pray matins, St. Francis said to Br. Leo:

“We have no breviaries, but let us still spend the time praising God. So, I will say something and then you answer me in the words I give you. And make sure to say it exactly as I tell you. First, I will say: ‘O Br. Francis, you have done so many evils and committed so many sins, that you have truly merited hell.’ And you, Br. Leo, you answer: ‘Truly. In fact you merit the deepest level of hell.’ ”

The saint’s holy companion obediently and simply agreed “Very well, father. Begin.”

And so St. Francis began his prayer, “O Br. Francis, you have done so many evils and committed so many sins, that you have truly merited hell.”

The saint paused, waiting.

Br. Leo, however answered readily. “God will work so much good through you, that you will go to Heaven!”

Rather surprised, St. Francis spoke quite earnestly “Do not say that, Br. Leo! But when I say 'Br. Francis, you have committed so many sins against God, that you are worthy to be accursed by God,' You answer me ‘Truly you are worthy to be placed among the accursed.' "

And Br. Leo replied "Willingly, father."

Again St. Francis, with many tears and sighs, beating his breast, said with a loud voice "O my Lord, Lord of Heaven and earth, I have committed against Thee so many iniquities, and so many grievous sins that I am worthy to be accursed of Thee for them all."

And the simple brother said: "O Br. Francis, God will do so much in you, that among all the blessed you will be especially blessed."

Now this time, St. Francis was quite perplexed. Br. Leo was a very saintly man and an obedient friar. Although confused, St. Francis did not hesitate to reprove him, saying "Why do you not answer me as I have instructed you? I command you, by holy obedience, to answer as I will tell you.”

Then, composing himself somewhat, St. Francis spoke with deep sincerity.

“When I say, 'O Br. Francis, you wicked man! Do you think that God will have mercy on you? Knowing that you have so often offended the God of mercy and all consolation, you know that you are not worthy of His mercy.’ And you, Br. Leo, you will answer me in these words, 'By no means are you worthy to find mercy.' ”

But when St. Francis was finished saying his part, Br. Leo, again gave a different answer to the humble Saint.

"God the Father, whose mercy is infinitely more than your sins, will show you great mercy. And, more than this, He will bestow many graces upon you."

At this reply, St. Francis, patient as he was, became quite angry at Br. Leo and said to him, "You dare to act against holy obedience! Again and again, you have deliberately disobeyed my instructions!"

But poor Br. Leo, humbled at his dear friend’s rebuke, answered with touching sincerity.

"God knows, my father, that each time I was firmly resolved to do as you told me. But each time, God made me speak as it pleases Him, and not as it pleases me."

When St. Francis heard this, he was quite shocked. He knew Br. Leo was telling the truth, but the truth seemed... well very far from the truth that Francis knew about himself. For, as holy as he was, he knew God very well and therefore and a deep and humble knowledge of his own unworthiness and misery.

Deeply moved, he spoke again to Br. Leo, though this time - a little more gently.

"I beg you from the bottom of my heart, brother, this time please answer me as I have told you."

And Br. Leo, with equal emotion, promised that he would.

St. Francis, then, reflecting upon his sins, wept at the thought of God’s pain from them. He said, "O Br. Francis, you wicked man, do you think God will have mercy on you?"

Br. Leo at once responded “Yes! And truly, you will receive great grace from God, and He will exalt you and glorify you for all eternity. Because he that humbles himself shall be exalted.” Then, in immediate defense, Br. Leo quickly added “And I cannot say otherwise, for God speaks by my mouth.”

And so they continued in this holy contention, so to speak, until the end of the day. And in the midst of the humble tears, there was in their souls, great spiritual consolation.