Our Spiritual Guidance
Holy Saint
Saint Francis of Assisi
Overview:
Founder: Saint Francis of Assisi founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans).
Mission: Dedicated to living a life of poverty, humility, and service, while spreading the message of peace and love for all creation.
Legacy: His legacy lives on through the Franciscan Order, which serves communities worldwide, and through his role as the patron saint of animals and ecology. His life and teachings continue to inspire those seeking simplicity, compassion, and care for the environment.
| EVENTS | DATES |
| Born | 1181 or 1182, Assisi, Italy |
| Died | October 3, 1226, Assisi, Italy |
| Canonized | July 16, 1228 by Pope Gregory IX |
| Feast Day | October 4 |
Key Points:
Early Life: Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, he was the son of a wealthy merchant. His early life was marked by wealth and luxury.
Conversion: After a serious illness and a vision, he renounced his wealth, choosing a life of poverty and service to God.
Founding the Franciscans: In 1209, he founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), emphasizing simplicity, humility, and service.
Love for Creation: He saw all creatures as brothers and sisters under God, famously preaching to birds and taming a wolf. His “Canticle of the Sun” reflects his reverence for nature.
Stigmata: In 1224, he received the stigmata, marks resembling the wounds of Christ, a sign of his deep spiritual connection.
Death and Legacy: He died on October 3, 1226. His legacy includes not only the Franciscan Order but also a rich tradition of care for creation and the poor.
Canonization: Canonized just two years after his death, he remains a powerful symbol of peace, humility, and devotion to God.
Patronage: Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals, ecology, and the environment.
Description:
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.
Previous Days Saints of the day for inspiration and reflection.