Saint Francis of Assisi

The path of Saint Francis of Assisi

1. Before Jesus. His family was rich. As a young man he dreamed of the ideals of the knights of his day. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
2. Before Jesus. At twenty he went to war, was taken prisoner, and fell ill. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
3. With Jesus. When he came back, he got down from his horse and gave a leper the kiss of peace. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
4. With Jesus. Before the bishop of Assisi he took off his clothes: this was how he gave up his father's inheritance. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
5. With Jesus. In 1209 he presented his new way of life to Pope Innocent III, and the Pope welcomed him like a father. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
6. With Jesus. In 1219 he went to Egypt to speak with the sultan and to preach the Gospel to him. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
7. With Jesus. At Christmas in 1223, in Greccio, he set up a manger with hay, an ox, and a donkey. vatican.va, Pope Francis, Admirabile signum 2
8. Afterward. In 1224 he received the stigmata. He died on October 3, 1226, lying on the bare ground. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010

Words of Saint Francis of Assisi

“Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day and through whom you give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness of you, Most High.” Saint Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures (in Catechism 344)

In his Canticle, praising God for all creatures.

“Praised are you, my Lord, for our sister bodily Death!” Saint Francis of Assisi, Canticle of the Creatures (in Catechism 1014)

In the same Canticle, when he speaks of death.

“Holy Virgin Mary, among women there is no one like you born into the world, you are the daughter and the handmaid of the most high and supreme King and Father of heaven, you are the mother of our most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, you are the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Pray for us” Saint Francis of Assisi, Writings (in Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010)

In one of his prayers to the Virgin Mary.

“O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself to such an extent that for our salvation he hides himself under the humble form of bread!” Saint Francis of Assisi, Writings (in Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010)

Speaking of the Eucharist.

What they were like

• He was a joyful man. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
• He was so generous to the poor that his father scolded him for it. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
• He wanted to be like Jesus and to follow the Gospel just as it is. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010

The greatest thing they did

• He renewed the Church, always in communion with the Pope and the bishops. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
• He went to speak with the sultan of Egypt, armed only with his faith and his gentleness. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010
• The Nativity scene we set up at home comes from the manger at Greccio. vatican.va, Pope Francis, Admirabile signum 2

Not to be confused with

• He is a different saint: a Jesuit priest, born in Navarre, who brought the Gospel to the Indies. His feast is December 3. Roman Martyrology, December 3

In the Church today

Feast day: October 4, Saint Francis of Assisi (memorial). General Roman Calendar; Roman Martyrology, October 4

Patron of: Of those who promote ecology (Saint John Paul II, 1979) vatican.va, John Paul II, apostolic letter Inter sanctos (November 29, 1979)

In art, recognized by: The brown habit with a cord, and bare feet This is how Christian art depicts him; The wounds in his hands and feet, from the stigmata he received in 1224 vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010; this is how Christian art depicts him; Surrounded by animals and birds This is how Christian art depicts him; Catechism 2416

What people ask

Did Francis invent the Nativity scene?

He set up the manger at Greccio in 1223. Pope Francis says that the Nativity scene as we know it comes from there. vatican.va, Pope Francis, Admirabile signum 2

What are the stigmata?

The wounds of Christ crucified. Francis received them in 1224, at the hermitage of La Verna. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010

Who is Saint Clare?

A young noblewoman of Assisi who joined Francis's way of life. That is how the Poor Clares began. vatican.va, Benedict XVI, January 27, 2010

Why is he the patron of ecology?

Because of his love for God's creatures. Saint John Paul II proclaimed it in 1979. vatican.va, John Paul II, Inter sanctos (November 29, 1979)

Who Saint Francis of Assisi is connected to

• Jesus · one with Christ crucified
• Mary · loved her tenderly

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible