The History of Saint Francis

Born into a wealthy family in 1181 in Assisi, Italy, Francis was the son of a cloth merchant, was well educated, and worked as a part of his father’s business. As a young and handsome man, he was drawn to a busy social life of parties, revelry, brawls, and with little desire to study or work. He spent money on fine clothes, food, and entertainment. He suffered through illness and for a time, served as a soldier. Francis was taken as a prisoner of war and during this time, underwent a spiritual conversion wherein he was called to leave his worldly way of life and focus on Christ.

The life of Francis took a radical turn as he gave his life to following the example of Jesus Christ. One day, as he was praying in front of a crucifix in a country church of St. Damian, he heard a voice speaking to him stating “Francis, go and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.” He ceased his ways of frivolous extravagance and cheerfully gave away his clothes and money to the poor. He often begged for his food, fasted from food, tended to the sick, preached the Gospel message of peace – he suffered and offered these actions all for the love of Christ.

Although his actions were disapproved by his family and he was disowned, he formally surrendered his inheritance and sought the eternal inheritance and wealth of his Father in heaven instead. Francis desired to preach the Gospel, share what he was given with others, and seek a humble life of poverty. In this sacrificial spirit of joy, he lived a life of simplicity: He enjoyed nature, writing poetry, and working with his hands.

As Francis grew in holiness, so did a following of those seeking to live as disciples of this way of life. With a blessing from Pope Innocent III in 1210, he founded the order of Franciscans, or the Order of Friars Minor, who helped the poor and sick and preached the Gospel. The Pope later told Francis that he had a dream of Francis wherein he was holding up the pillars of the Church.

In 1212, Francis was joined by St. Clare, a spiritual follower. Soon he established the Second Franciscan Order of Poor Ladies, known today as the Poor Clares. The Franciscans sent missionaries to Africa and Francis himself journeyed to the Holy Land. A lover of nature and of people, he was known for miracles and as a mystic. Francis became so united to the Passion of Jesus Christ, that he received the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, in 1224, on the feast of the Holy Cross.

Nearly blind and in poor health after years of mortification, Francis died in 1226 at the age of forty-five, as the Passion of Jesus Christ was read aloud.

Saint Francis, pray for us!