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Externally, Seraphin remained much unchanged: hair always rumpled; and clumsy, all thumbs, inept at every job; and mainly illiterate. But his holiness was easily recognizable. At times, he was discouraged by the ridicule of his Capuchin brothers. Seraphin would regain his composure and perspective through prayer. He explained, "When I entered religious life I was a poor, unskilled laborer, lacking both talent and potential. I remained as I was, and this caused so many humiliations and rebukes which the devil used as opportunities to tempt me to leave religious life and retreat to some desert, withdrawing into myself. I entrusted myself to the Lord, and one night I heard a voice coming from the [[tabernacle]] say, "To serve God you must die to yourself and accept adversity, of whatever type." So I accepted them and resolved to recite a rosary for anyone who caused me trouble. Then I heard the voice from the tabernacle say, 'Your prayers for those who mortify you are very pleasing to me. In exchange, I am ready to grant you many graces.'And the wonders worked at his hands were plentiful. In fact, people began calling him a saint, a healer and a prophet. Whatever objects touched him seemed to work some prodigious sign.
 
Seraphin was assigned as to serve variously as a [[porter (monastery)|porter]] or [[quaestor#Religion|questor]] at various friaries throughout the March, but most of his religious life was spent at [[Ascoli Piceno]], where, after his death, his picture couldbecame becommonly founddisplayed in every homehomes and even on the outside of public buildings, displayed as if it were a noble shield or coat of arms.
 
A Capuchin custom was to keep rooms near the porter's office available for the use of travelers and pilgrims. At whatever hour of the night, Seraphin would answer the door. Many witnessesrecounted relayedthat, storiesafter ofthe howcity theygates had been closed for the night, the had sought refuge at the Capuchin friary, afterwhich thewere cityusually gateslocated had been closed foroutside the nightcity walls, and werethat warmlythey had been welcomed warmly by Seraphin. Seraphin spent entire nights in church. Friars testified that, after everyone else had gone to bed, they would often hear Seraphin walking toward the church to spend the night in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. There he was heard praying, "Peace, Lord, I ask peace for so-and-so." Seraphin once confided that the reason he spent so much of the night in church was because, in his room, he was greatly tempted against chastity, even in his old age.
 
Seraphin's reputation reached even the Dukes of Bavaria and Parma, the Peopli nobles of Bologna, and Cardinal Bandini. To avoid having people kiss his hand or tunic to show their respect, Seraphin would carry a crucifix with him, offering it for them to kiss.
 
Although he was nearly illiterate, Seraphin was said to speak about God more eloquently than any theologian. Even the bishop of Ascoli, the eminent theologian, Cardinal [[Girolamo Bernerio]], sought Seraphin's advice in especially difficult cases.
 
Seraphin was austere in his person. Only once in his life did he accept a new [[religious habit]], and then, only out of obedience. For 40 continuous years, he ate only soup or salad. In keeping with the spirituality prevalent at the time, Seraphin had a personal devotion of serving as many [[mass (liturgy)|Masses]] as possible.
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