A boy of the town of Siena caught a number of turtledoves in a snare, and he was carrying them all alive to the market to sell them.
But St. Francis, who was always very kind and wonderfully compassionate, especially toward gentle animals and little birds, was stirred by love and pity on seeing the doves. And he said to the boy who was carrying the doves: "Good boy, please give me those doves so that such innocent birds, which in Holy Scripture are symbols of pure, humble, and faithful souls, will not fall into the hands of cruel men who will kill them."
The boy was then inspired by God to give all the doves to St. Francis.
When the kind Father had gathered them to his bosom, he began to talk to them in a very gentle way, saying: "My simple, chaste, and innocent Sister Doves, why did you let yourselves be caught? I want to rescue you from death and make nests for you where you can lay your eggs and fulfill the Creator's commandment to multiply."
And St. Francis took them with him and made a nest for all of them.
And the doves settled in the nests made by St. Francis, and laid their eggs and reared their young right among the friars, and they increased in numbers. They were so tame and familiar with St. Francis and the other friars that they seemed to be like chickens that had always been raised by the friars. And they did not leave until St. Francis gave them permission, with his blessing.
The Saint had said to the boy who gave him the doves: "My son, one day you will become a Friar Minor in this Order, and you will serve Our Lord Jesus Christ well."
And it happened as the Saint foretold, because later the boy entered the Order and, through the merits of St. Francis, he led a praiseworthy and very exemplary life until he died.
So St. Francis not only obtained comfort for those little birds in this life but also the joys of eternal life for that youth.
May Our Lord Jesus Christ be praised! Amen.
