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Francis, born in Assisi in
the thirteenth century, was the son of a rich textile man. Quite
the extravagant playboy in his youth, Francis became a soldier,
and returned home disenchanted with his former lifestyle. He
traveled to Rome, began having visions of Christ, and converted.
One day, while praying in a dilapidated church, he heard the
voice of Jesus say, “Repair my falling house.” So
he stole fabrics from his fathers warehouse and raised money
to renovate the decaying Holy place. The resident priest refused
the money, but allowed Francis sanctuary. When his father got
news of his son's thievery, he found him in the church, beat
him relentlessly, and locked him up. Francis refused to pay
back his father and when he was brought before the Bishop of
Assisi for judgment, he stripped naked saying, “The clothes
I wear are also his. I'll give them back.” The embarrassed
Bishop draped Francis in a gardeners cloak, which became the
traditional Franciscan garb. He founded the Franciscan order
and anyone wishing to join was asked to give up all their worldly
possessions and live a life of absolute poverty and abstention.
Francis was the first person ever to receive the stigmata, the
five wounds of Christ, which he suffered from for the rest of
his life. He died in the company of his good friend St. Clare.
(Incidentally, Francis was the originator of the idea of recreating
the manger scene at Christmas time as P.R. for the Church.)
Francis is also the patron of Italy, catholic action and tapestry
makers. His feast day is October 10. |
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St.
Francis
Patron St. of
Ecology |
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