St. Francis Biography
Fast Facts
Founder of the Franciscan Order, born in Assisi, Italy
In 1205 he left his worldly life, devoting himself to the care of the poor and the sick, and living as a hermit.
By 1210 he had a brotherhood of 11 for which he drew up a rule which became the Franciscan way of life, in which all property is repudiated. By 1219 the order had 5000 members.
He preached widely in Europe and the Holy Land.
He received on his body the marks (stigmata) of the wounds of Christ (1224).
Saint Francis of Assisi died in his hometown at the young age of 44 on October 3, 1226.
He was canonized in 1228.
His Feast day is October 4th.
He is often represented in art among animals and birds, which he called his sisters and brothers.
He is the patron saint of animals and of the environment.
A&E's St. Francis Biography
St. Francis of Assisi Biography
"We cannot fight against the night! But we can light a candle..." St. Francis
Francis Bernardone was born in Assisi, Italy in the year 1181 or 82...it is uncertain which one. He was one of several children born into a family blessed with prosperity since his father was a successful cloth merchant. It seems his every whim was indulged as a boy growing up and he enjoyed a 'frolicking' lifestyle as a young adult. Wine, women and song were his great passions and he also was a soldier in the military.
In 1205 a serious illness caused Francis to take a deeper look at his superficial life and he began to see the emptiness of what he was doing. He made a u-turn in his thinking and while in prayer he received the message "Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh it is your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. And when you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter, but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy."
In obedience to this voice he decided to embrace a leper and give him all the money he had even though everything in his flesh resisted such an action...Francis was rewarded with freedom from the bondage of the dictates his flesh was constantly demanding and he now knew in his heart he could live the life Christ wanted for him. He had the inner strength, compassion, self-discipline and unconditional love required to live the Christian life.
He chose to withdraw from his worldly life and began to live the life of a hermit. He devoted himself to the care of the destitute and the sick. Like-minded people began to join him in his new life and by 1210 he had a brotherhood of 11 men. In this small community the rule was that all personal property had to be forsaken...St. Francis trusted in Providence to take care of their every need.
He would feel no shame in begging when he couldn't get payment for his work. He took Jesus' words, "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff" (see Luke 9:1-3) literally and followed his Lord's example of love as honestly as he could each and every day of his transformed life. In 1219 the Franciscan order he hadn't even intended to start had exploded to 5000 members.
St. Francis in his young life had been a great troubadour and in his new life in Christ he continued his poetic singing but now he wrote songs with themes of praise and thanksgiving:
"Song of the Sun."
"O Lord, we praise Thee for our Brother Sun,
Who brings us day, who brings us golden light.
He tells us of Thy Beauty, Holy One.
We praise Thee, too, when falls the quiet night,
For Sister Moon, and every silver star
That Thou hast set in Heaven, clear and far.
"For our brave Brother Wind we give Thee praise;
For clouds and stormy skies, for gentle air;
And for our Sister Water, cool and fair,
Who does service in sweet, humble ways;
But, when the winter darkens, bitter cold,
We praise Thee every night and all day long.
"For our good friend, so merry and so bold,
Dear Brother Fire, beautiful and strong.
For our good Mother Earth, we praise Thee, Lord;
For the bright flowers she scatters everywhere;
For all the fruit and grain her fields afford;
For her great beauty, and her tireless care."
"We praise Thee, Lord, for gentle souls who live
In love and peace, who bear with no complaint
All wounds and wrongs; who pity and forgive;
Each one of these, Most High, shall be Thy saint."
He wasn't afraid of "Sister Death" when she arrived prematurely and sweetly welcomed her with the "Song of the Sun"... Saint Francis of Assisi died in his hometown at the young age of 44 on October 3, 1226.
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St. Francis of Assisi DVD
BIOGRAPHY draws on ancient accounts to tell the story of the patron saint
of the animals.