RUFFINO d'ASSISI, blessed. — One of the first companions of s. Francesco, related to s. Chiara di Assisi.
He distinguished himself as a man of profound contemplation. An intimate of s. Francesco, he was often privy to his revelations and secrets; he was among the very few who observed his stigmata, especially that of the side, while he was still alive. His name is linked to the Legenda trium sociorum (v. QUESTIONE FRANCESCANA), which he wrote, together with frate Leone and frate Angelo, on the life of s. Francesco, signing the letter-preface at Greccio on 12 Aug. 1246. He died in 1270. He was soon venerated, but the cult was never recognized.
BIBL.: besides the various references offered by the biographical sources on s. Francesco (cf. Anal. Franc., X, indexes), a life dating from the beginning of the fourteenth century is found in the Chronica XXIV Generalium, in Anal. Franc., III, Quararchi 1897, pp. 66–54; P. Sabatier, Actus b. Francisci, Paris 1902, pp. 107–20; Wadding, Annales, IV, pp. 351–55. Alberto Ghinato