Francis’ Life
Francis was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, the son of a rich Italian cloth merchant and a beautiful Frenchwoman in 1182, and led a very worldly life in his early years. After fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia in 1202, he was caught and held captive for several months, which was followed by a period of illness during which he began receiving visions and heard the voice of Christ saying, “Francis, repair my church”. Although it took him some time to understand what this meant, he turned to prayer and service to the poor, in 1206 publicly renouncing his father’s wealth and becoming a hermit. People started to follow him in his simple life, practicing true equality by showing honour, respect and love to every person, including lepers and thieves.
Pope Innocent III approved his way of life, ordained him a deacon, and Francis’ followers increased. In collaboration with Clare of Assisi (1194 - 1253), he established a branch of his order for women, called the Poor Clares. In 1221 a lay order for men and women was founded named the Third Order.
He attended the Crusades, and on his return, retired to a life of contemplation, during which time he received the Stigmata, making him the first known person to receive such holy markings, which he retained until his death. He also composed the poem the ‘Canticle of Brother Sun’ at this time.
During his life Francis also developed a deep love for nature and for all creatures, and is known as the patron saint of the environment and of animals.
One day while Francis was travelling with some companions, they came upon a place where birds filled the trees on either side of the road. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go to preach to my sisters the birds”. The birds surrounded him, and not one flew away. He is often portrayed with a bird, often in his hand. It is a popular practice on his feast day, 4 October, for people to bring their pets and other animals to church for a blessing.
Some of St Francis’ Teachings
“There is no use in walking anywhere to preach if your walking isn’t your preaching.”
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.”
“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.”
“If a superior gives any order to one who is under him which is against that man’s conscience, although he do not obey it, yet he shall not be dismissed.”
“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
St Francis’ main writings:
• Canticum Fratris Solis or Laudes Creaturarum; Canticle of the Sun, 1224 (see below)
• Prayer before the Crucifix, 1205
• Regular non bullata, the Earlier Rule, 1221
• Regular bullata, the Later Rule, 1223
• Testament, 1226
• Admonitions
Canticle of the Sun
Most High, all powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour, and all blessing. To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs. Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those who will find Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm. Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.
More Info
Who was St Francis of Assisi? (anglicanfocus.org.au)
https://www.cam1.org.au/boxhill/About-Us/Patron-Saints
https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/saint-francis-of-assisi
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit/the-core-teachings-of-saint-francis
Prayer of St Francis https://youtu.be/p8Jr2o7oewU
Reflections from others on Francis' legacy:
Francis experienced God as his “All”: All good, All love, All present, All merciful. As he exclaimed, “Deus meus et omnia,” meaning “My God and my All!” The more he found God within himself, the more he saw God outside himself where every detail of nature spoke to him of God.
—Ilia Delio
Francis’ revolution is still in process, and it cannot fail, because it is nothing more or less than the certain unfolding of Love itself, which, as Paul declares, “never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
—Richard Rohr
Francis of Assisi succeeded in living in a single-hearted way, in which his only goal was to love. This intense eagerness to love made his whole life an astonishing victory for the human and divine spirit and showed how they work so beautifully together.
—Richard Rohr