Birth/death: Birth:1181 Death: 1226

Patron Saint of Animals, Merchants and Ecology

Feast Day: October 4

Francis enjoyed a very rich and easy life growing up because of his father’s wealth and permissiveness. Francis was loved by everyone and was a confident, happy child who was a born leader. If he was picky, people excused him. If he was ill, people took care of him. As he grew up, Francis became the leader of a crowd of young people who spent their nights at wild parties. He has reflected on this time as “living in sin”.

Francis fell in love with the country France. He loved the songs of France, the romance of France, and especially the adventure that France had to offer. Francis was also very good at business. During this time, he wanted more than wealth – he wanted to be a noble, a knight. Francis believed that it was in battle that would bring him the glory he sought after. He got his first chance when Assisi declared war on their long time enemy, the nearby town of Perugia.

Most of the troops from Assisi died in the fight. Francis survived but was taken prisoner by the enemy. After a year, he was ransomed and returned to his partying life as though nothing had changed. The battle didn’t change what he wanted from life either – and that was Glory! Finally, there was a call for Knights for the Fourth Crusade. He answered this call as it gave him a chance to live out his dream. Before he could go, Francis had to have a suit of armour made – which was no problem as he was the son of a rich father! He had his suit of armour decorated with gold with a magnificent cloak.

Before he left Assisi, Francis had a dream in which God told him he had it all wrong and told him to return home. Francis listened to God and returned home. Francis was humiliated and was laughed at by the town for not going to battle, for spending a grand amount of money on his armour and called a coward.

Francis’ conversion did not happen overnight. God had waited for him for over 25 years. Francis began to spend more time in prayer, waiting – listening for God. He went off to a cave and wept for his sins. One day, while out riding, Francis came face to face with a leper. He was repulsed by the man but got down from his horse and kissed the hand of the leper. When his kiss of peace was returned, Francis was filled with joy. As he rode off, he turned around and the leper had disappeared. He looked at this as a test from God, which he had passed.

Eventually, Francis started a religious order. His brotherhood practised honour, respect and love to every person whether they were poor or the Pope. His brotherhood also included all of creation. Francis felt that nature, all of God’s creations, were part of his brotherhood. There are many stories of Francis talking with birds and calming wolves.

Many years later, after living a life of preaching and wandering, Francis became ill and started to go blind. He never recovered from the illness and died on October 4, 1226. Francis is considered the founder of all Franciscan orders and the patron saint of ecologists and merchants.   

Quote:

“A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows” – St Augustine