Francis of Assisi

Early Life: Francis of Assisi, born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, Italy, was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. He grew up amidst the affluence of his family’s business but showed early signs of a generous and compassionate nature. As a young man, he enjoyed a carefree lifestyle, reveling in parties and worldly pursuits.

Conversion: In his early twenties, Francis experienced a spiritual awakening that would change the course of his life. During a pilgrimage to Rome, he encountered lepers and was deeply moved by their suffering. He began to devote himself to prayer and contemplation, seeking direction from God.

One day, while praying in the dilapidated chapel of San Damiano, Francis heard the voice of Christ speaking to him from the crucifix, instructing him to “repair my church, which is falling into ruins.” Taking these words literally, Francis began to rebuild the chapel, selling his father’s cloth to fund the restoration.

Founding of the Franciscan Order: Francis’s newfound devotion to poverty, simplicity, and service to others attracted followers who were drawn to his humility and charisma. In 1209, he received papal approval for the Order of Friars Minor (commonly known as the Franciscans), which was dedicated to living in poverty and preaching the Gospel.

The Franciscan movement spread rapidly throughout Italy and beyond, with Francis and his followers living a life of radical poverty, preaching peace, and serving the poor and marginalized.

Stigmata and Later Life: In 1224, while fasting and praying on Mount La Verna, Francis experienced a mystical vision in which he received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, on his hands, feet, and side. This event marked Francis as the first recorded stigmatic in Christian history.

Despite his failing health in later years, Francis continued to serve and inspire his followers with his unwavering devotion to God and his commitment to poverty, humility, and peace. He composed the “Canticle of the Sun,” a hymn of praise to God’s creation, which reflects his deep reverence for nature and all living beings.

Death and Legacy: Francis of Assisi died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Gregory IX in 1228, just two years after his death. Today, Francis is one of the most beloved and venerated saints in the Catholic Church, known for his love of nature, his compassion for the poor, and his devotion to Christ.

The Franciscan Order continues to thrive worldwide, with thousands of friars, nuns, and laypeople following in the footsteps of Francis, embracing his teachings of simplicity, humility, and service to others. Francis’s legacy also extends beyond the Catholic Church, inspiring people of all faiths and backgrounds to live lives of compassion, peace, and love.