HAPPY ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI DAY!
St. Francis of Assisi is by far one of the greatest of my favorite saints. Baptized as Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, later called Francesco. Son of Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant, and Pica de Bourlemont. He was born in Assisi, in the Duchy of Spoleto (now Umbria, Italy) in the year 1181-1182. At an early age Francis enjoyed going to parties with his friends and dreamt about becoming a knight and glorifying the battlefield where he found himself in a nearby Perguian prison. It wasn’t until he left prison that he started his conversion closer to God.
St. Francis founded the Franciscian order in 1209. Years before he founded the order, he being born of riches, renounced it all and proclaimed absolute poverty. He was said to strip down from his clothes in the city square and run through the hills proclaiming his renouncing of wealth and all his earthly possessions. Makes you think, what would you do to proclaim your lifes story? Hopefully not that, times have changed but have you shared the Gospel lately? Here are some ways you can be like St. Francis and spread the Gospel. He traveled around to nearby towns and villages doing spoken speeches. Famously he spoke to animals and nature, viewing them all as God’s glories creations. So next time you are on a hike or simply waiting for a deer to come out while hunting, be as St. Francis was.
I first learned about St. Francis during Mass one Sunday morning. The Priest that morning mentioned a special Saturday morning Mass where we can bring our pets for a blessing. I left Church that day and went to Amazon to look for books on this awesome Saint who loved animals. I shortly came across the Fransican Friars of the Renewal who had a video talking alittle bit about the Franscian order and the history of it.
St. Francis is the patron saint of animals because of his deep respect for all living creatures that God created and treated them with a brotherly love. I love how true he was to his vows, living so strong for something sounds nice, doesn't it.
St. Francis died on the evening of October 3, 1226 at the age of 44 near Assisi. Being true to his vow of absolute poverty, he asked to be laid naked on the bare ground during his final moments while welcoming death, so he could truly die with nothing to his name.
“Welcome, my sister death,” were St. Francis last words before taking his last breath.
Whether the story is true or not, I say why not, God can do anything through the faithful please click the link below to read the story of St. Francis and the Taming of the Wolf
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/st-francis-and-the-taming-of-the-wolf/
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/who-was-st-francis-of-assisi/
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/st-anthony-messenger/7-key-moments-in-the-life-of-st-francis/
