Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 (but given the nickname “Francesco”), Francis — despite never being ordained to the Catholic priesthood — remains one of the most honored religious figures in history. he is currently known as the patron saint of both animals and the environment.

Entering the world as the son of a wealthy silk merchant, Francis originally enjoyed the superficial lifestyle known to many of the privileged young men of his day. And yet despite this upbringing, Francis showed a penchant for humility & charity from an early age; traits that began to fully blossom after an encounter he had while selling his father’s silks in the streets. The tale is told that after noticing a poor man begging for food on that day, Francis ran after him and frantically gave him everything he had in his pockets — and this, despite receiving great ridicule from his wealthy friends who were watching nearby.

Over the next several years, Francis steadily lost his taste for the material life of luxury, and steadily gained an appreciation for a deeper life filled with things “spiritual”. On a pilgrimage to Rome, he joined the poor in begging at St. Peter’s Basilica, and the experience so moved him that he chose at that time to live a life of poverty. Francis then returned home, began preaching the virtues of material renunciation and humble generosity and gentle kindness in the streets, and soon thereafter amassed a modest following.

Francis chose never to be ordained a priest and he and his spiritual companions lived a simple life as “lesser brothers” in the deserted lazar house of Rivo Torto near Assisi, though they spent much of their time wandering through the mountainous districts of Umbria, ever cheerful and full of song.

Francis believed that nature itself was a mirror of the Divine, and he therefore most sincerely spoke of all creatures as his “brothers and sisters”.

Francis’ preaching to ordinary folk was unusual since he had no official license from the Vatican to do so. In 1209 he composed a simple, primary rule for all his followers: “To embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and to actively walk in his footsteps.”

“Preach the Gospel at all times — using words only when necessary … It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

“Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to Love … Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow Love … For it is in giving that we receive.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

“No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors … Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance … While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi

 

Filed under: In LOVE with Humanity by Scaughdt