Pacificus

Pacificus was a disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, born probably near Ascoli, Italy, in the second half of the twelfth century; died, it is thought, at Lens, France, around 1234.

For the seventeenth-century saint, see Pacificus of San Severino.

For the American statesman who used this as a pen-name, see Alexander Hamilton.

Poet Laureate

Local authors identify him with a certain William of Lisciano, who joined the court of Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.[1] Before becoming Friar Minor (Franciscan) he had been poet laureate at the Court of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor.[2]

Around 1212 St. Francis preached at San Severino, in the Marches; the poet had a vision of two resplendent swords crossed on the saint's breast.[3] Deeply impressed by this vision, he asked to be received into the new order. St. Francis gladly complied, giving him the name of Pacificus. In the Speculum perfectionis, attributed to Brother Leo, Pacificus is said to have experienced a vision at San Pietro in Bovara of Francis in heaven.[1]

Introduced Friars Minor into France

Francis summoned Brother Pacificus and sent him, with other friars, throughout the world, preaching the praises of God. In 1217 he was sent to France, where he is said to have become the founder, and first provincial, of the Friars Minor.[2]

In the Spring of 1226 Pacificus witnessed the holy "Stigmata of St. Francis".[2] The last certain date we have in the life of Brother Pacificus is that of the Papal Bull, 12 April 1227, in which Pope Gregory IX recommends the Poor Clares of Siena to Pacificus' care. Cf "Magna sicut dicitur", 1227 (Bullarium Franciscanum volume I, 33-34)

Return to France

Pacificus was sent back to France, where he later died.

It has long been mooted that Pacificus' poetic abilities were put to use turning Saint Francis' songs into verse, however there is no evidence to support this. Certainly, in the case of the "Canticle of the Sun" its simple construction would suggest that the saint needed no help.

References

1. Macdonell, Anne. "A King of Verses" Sons of Francis, J. M. Dent, 1902, p. 123 et seq.
2. Oliger, Livarius. "Pacificus." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 29 January 2019
3. Arnald of Sarrant. "The Generalate of Brother Albert of Pisa", Chronicle of the Twenty-Four Generals of the Order of Friars Minor, (Noel Muscat ofm, trans.) Ordo Fratrum Minorum. Malta, 2010

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Pacificus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.