He did not expect everyone to respond the same and created a hierarchical system of response. He expected church officials to be supportive and receptive to the saint and to help him accomplish his goals. The only ones in this class he described as capable of having reservations are those that are not able to recognize the saint’s divine inspiration (56) or those with papal authority (58). Upper-class members of society, even those not involved in the church, were expected to recognize and support the saint and to listen to their teachings (59). This may have included obedience, but it is unclear based on these excerpts whether or not Thomas would have expected it. The more common people were expected to be obedient, receptive, supportive, and to listen to his teachings (60 – 62). They were expected to recognize his divine authority as demonstrated by his control over the natural world and to act accordingly. Thomas’ model allowed these people to praise the saint and to seek him out for healing (60 – 62). Overall, Thomas’ hagiography of St Francis was able to demonstrate Francis’ holiness while serving his larger goal of laying out the model responses to a
He did not expect everyone to respond the same and created a hierarchical system of response. He expected church officials to be supportive and receptive to the saint and to help him accomplish his goals. The only ones in this class he described as capable of having reservations are those that are not able to recognize the saint’s divine inspiration (56) or those with papal authority (58). Upper-class members of society, even those not involved in the church, were expected to recognize and support the saint and to listen to their teachings (59). This may have included obedience, but it is unclear based on these excerpts whether or not Thomas would have expected it. The more common people were expected to be obedient, receptive, supportive, and to listen to his teachings (60 – 62). They were expected to recognize his divine authority as demonstrated by his control over the natural world and to act accordingly. Thomas’ model allowed these people to praise the saint and to seek him out for healing (60 – 62). Overall, Thomas’ hagiography of St Francis was able to demonstrate Francis’ holiness while serving his larger goal of laying out the model responses to a