These three works form the chief sources of the saint's life and the beginning of the Franciscan Order which he founded in 1212. Born at Assisi in 1182, St. Francis embraced a life of holy poverty after a gay and sometimes extravagant youth. Through pilgrimage, devotion, example and simple teaching he became one of the great Christian reformers. "The Little Flowers" is translated from the 'Fioretti,' an Italian translation of a Latin original of which the earliest extant manuscript is one of 1390. "The Mirror of Perfection" is based on documents and memoirs left by Friar Leo, St. Francis's favorite disciple, and was completed about 1318. St. Bonaventure wrote the "Life of St. Francs" c. 1260. A supplement dealing with these two works and written by Father Eric Doyle, O.F.M., S.T.D., has been added to the introduction. -- From publisher's description.