Fr. Noel Muscat ofm has published the Maltese translation of the Vita Brevior, a newly discovered Franciscan Source written by Thomas of Celano, studied and critically edited by Jacques Dalarun in 2015, and already translated into various languages. The title, translated from the Maltese, reads: Saint Francis of Assisi. A friend of God, a friend of Christ, a friend of the Crucifix. The Life of the holy Father Francis (Vita Brevior) by Thomas of Celano, Maltese Franciscan OFM Province, Malta, 2016, pp. 79.

The Vita brevior is officially known as Vita beatis patris nostri Francisci. It was discovered by Jacques Dalarun in 2015. It is introduced by a short letter addressed to brother Elias, minister general of the friars Minor (1232-1239). Its author is none other than the famous Franciscan hagiographer Thomas of Celano, who had already composed the Vita Sancti Francisci in 1228-29, upon the orders of Pope Gregory IX. The Vita brevior, as its name states, is an abridged form of the official legenda, but it has many innovative expressions underlined by Dalarun, especially the three attributes to Saint Francis that are indicated in the title of the translation.

The translation covers the first part of the Vita brevior, and does not include the list of miracles that make up the second part. The aim is that of presenting a simple, short and readable life of Saint Francis for the Maltese public, thus continuing to enhance the complete list of Franciscan Sources that have already been published by the Maltese Franciscans during these last two decades.