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there in fury and ordered the friars to evacuate the house immediately. 34 The
same story is narrated by the author of the Actus Beati Francisci in a different
way. Peter (John) of Strachia had built the new house with the intention of
founding a school, and Francis reproved the minister, saying: “You want to
destroy my Order! For I want my friars to pray more than to read, according to
the example of my Lord Jesus Christ.” 35
Another argument that historians brought forward to indicate Francis’s
awareness of the necessity of the formal study of theology, was the mission of
preaching. Thus, when it came to explain why the friars turned into a student
order, historians have put forward preaching as the main cause. 36 It has been
argued that since St. Francis wanted his friars to preach—and it was impossible
to preach without knowing the basics of theology—there was need to give the
friars formal instruction in theology. Felder argued that Francis urged the
preachers to acquire the necessary knowledge of the Scriptures after he realized
that many of the missionaries failed due to sheer ignorance. This, he argued by
referring to Bonaventura’s writings, who is known to be a fervent supporter of
schooling, and to the bull Exiit qui seminat which was promulgated years after
the death of Francis. 37
34 Celano II, p. 166.
35 The author of Actus who used a common source with Celano says that the house was meant to
include a school inside. Actus b. Francisci, ed. Sabatier, p. 61
36 See Felder, Die Geschichte, pp. 64-5. G. Odoardi, “Un Geniale Figlio di San Francesco Frate
Elia di Assisi nel Settimo Centenario della Sua Morte”, MF, 54 (1954), p. 100.
37 Felder, Die Geschichte, p. 65 1n.
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