Saint Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, Italy. He was the son of a wealthy merchant and enjoyed a privileged youth. However, after a serious illness and a spiritual vision, he renounced his wealth and chose a life of poverty and service to God. He founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, which emphasized humility, charity, and spreading the Gospel. His followers quickly grew, inspired by his simple lifestyle and dedication.

Saint Francis is also known for his deep love of nature and all living creatures. He believed that everything in creation was a reflection of God’s beauty and referred to animals and natural elements as his brothers and sisters. His famous “Canticle of the Sun” expresses this devotion, celebrating the harmony of all creation. He became the patron saint of animals and the environment.

Francis’s legacy lives on through the Franciscan Order, which continues to serve the poor and promote peace and respect for creation. He died on October 3, 1226, and was canonized in 1228.