Francis of Assisi

Lore & Background

Francis was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in Assisi, the son of a prosperous silk merchant and a French noblewoman. As a youth, he lived a high-spirited life, but after a year as a prisoner of war and a series of visions, he abandoned his wealth. He renounced his father and patrimony before the Bishop of Assisi, stripped himself naked, and began a life of poverty, restoring ruined chapels and nursing lepers. In 1208, inspired by a Gospel reading, he adopted a coarse tunic and knotted rope and began preaching penance, brotherly love, and peace. Within a year, he had 11 followers. In 1209, he composed a simple rule and led his followers to Rome, where Pope Innocent III informally approved the Franciscan Order.

Reader's Guide

Francis of Assisi's significance lies in his radical embrace of poverty and his founding of the Franciscan Order, which became a major force in medieval Christianity. His attempt to convert the sultan Al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade in 1219 exemplified his commitment to peace. He arranged the first live nativity scene in 1223, a tradition that endures. In 1224, he reportedly received the stigmata during a religious ecstasy. His patronage of animals and the environment led to the custom of blessing animals on his feast day, 4 October, now World Animal Day. Along with Catherine of Siena, he is a patron saint of Italy, and the city of San Francisco is named after him. His legacy includes the feast of his stigmatization on 17 September.

Did You Know?

• Francis was originally named Giovanni by his mother; his father called him Francesco, possibly meaning 'Free man' or 'Frenchman'.
• In 1219, Francis went to Egypt to attempt to convert the sultan Al-Kamil and end the Fifth Crusade.
• Francis arranged the first live nativity scene in 1223 in Greccio.
• He is commonly portrayed wearing a brown habit with a rope tied around his waist, featuring three knots symbolizing poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"The Counsels of the Holy Father St. Francis, Admonition 27." — Francis of Assisi "Thomas of Celano, The Life of Saint Francis, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 2, p. 293." — Francis of Assisi "“Earlier Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance,” Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, p. 43." — Francis of Assisi "We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure." — Francis of Assisi