St. Francis of Assisi is one of the most well-known saints. Just check out the front yard where you see the likeness of him with statues in front yards holding a bird or bird feeders or the unmistakable San Damiano cross that hangs on many walls of homes and churches.
Even if you don’t know much about him, you have seen St. Francis of Assisi’s likeness or his legacy somewhere.
He was born in Assisi Italy in the 12th century to wealthy parents. His father was a cloth merchant and the family lived in luxury in the small Italian town that was important to the Roman Empire and saw its fair share of fighting neighboring towns.
St. Francis dreamed of being a soldier — that didn’t go too well when he got wounded and imprisoned — and he later renounced his life of opulence for prayer and helping the poor.
St. Francis as a Saint of Strength
Since he was cast out of his parent’s home and did a very public renouncement of all everything he owned in the town square he went to live in a run-down chapel in San Damiano. It’s here where the most beautiful crucifix of Christ was in disrepair. This crucifix — it now hangs in the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi — spoke to St. Francis.
“Francis, Francis, go and repair my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins.”
He took this literally and spent the next 10 years rebuilding various churches in Assisi, especially the Portiuncula Chapel. The cell where St. Francis died is in this chapel.
The way of life St. Francis led brought him many followers, including St. Clare, who also left a life of wealth to start the Poor Clare nuns.
Seven Interesting Facts About St. Francis
There are volumes of books written about St. Francis — his life held many surprises and curiosities. However, his great love of God was the focal point of all his endeavors.
Here are Seven of the Most Interesting Facts about this Franciscan saint.
- An angel gave him the stigmata of Christ.
- He was never ordained a priest.
- The blessing of animals comes from St. Francis who loved all of God’s creatures.
- He was known to preach to the birds
- The First Nativity Scene was created by Him.
- A wolf at Gubbio that was terrorizing the town was tamed by the saint
- The famous Canticle of the Sun was written by him. When St. Francis was on his deathbed it was sung to him.
While St. Francis is known as the patron saint of peace, animals, and the environment there is another saint we should think about soon.
The relic of St. Jude the Apostle, known as answering prayers when all hope is lost, is coming to Indianapolis.
Get more information HERE!
