Francis was rapt in ecstasy as he meditated on the Beauty of a God who asks to be received in order to pour out his Love. The faith that animated him opened up new horizons and new proposals.
He was attracted by this 'humanised' God, who became Small so that man could live as a new creature.
Hence his search for contemplation, hidden spaces devoted to the wonder of the Mystery.
The Sources attest to the Grace in him:
"The Father used not to neglect any visitation of the Spirit: when it presented itself to him, he welcomed it and enjoyed the sweetness that was given to him, as long as the Lord allowed it.
Thus, if he gradually felt a few touches of the Grace while he was cramped with commitments or on a journey, he tasted that sweet manna on several and frequent occasions.
Even on the way he would stop, letting his companions go on, to enjoy the new visitation of the Spirit and not receive grace in vain" (FF 682).
(FF 682) "He tried with all care to hide the gifts of the Lord in the secret of his heart, because he did not want that, if they were an occasion of human glory, they should also be a cause of ruin for him [...] Turning then to himself he would say:
"If the Most High had granted such great graces to a thief, he would be more grateful than you, Francis!
For, as the Poor Man of Assisi wrote in his paraphrase to the Our Father:
"You reign in us through Grace and make us come into your kingdom, where the vision of you is without veils, the love of you is perfect, the communion of you is blissful, the enjoyment of you without end" (FF 269).
2nd Sunday after Christmas, (Jn 1:29-34) in part v.16