Early Life and Background

Francis was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 or 1182, in Assisi, a bustling town in the region of Umbria, Italy. He was the son of Pietro di Bernardone, a prosperous cloth merchant, and his French wife, Pica. Nicknamed Francesco (“the Frenchman”) by his father due to his affinity for French culture and language, Francis grew up in relative comfort and privilege, enjoying the trappings of wealth and the social status that accompanied it.

From an early age, Francis was known for his charm, vivacity, and generosity. He was popular among his peers, loved for his wit and cheerful demeanor. As a youth, he was fond of music, poetry, and revelry, often leading his friends in festive celebrations. His early aspirations were shaped by the ideals of knighthood, chivalry, and adventure, dreams that were common among young men of his era.

Turning Point: War and Captivity

The comfortable trajectory of Francis’s life was disrupted in 1202, when Assisi went to war with the neighboring city of Perugia. Eager to prove himself, Francis joined the battle as a knight. However, Assisi was defeated, and Francis, along with many others, was captured and imprisoned. He spent about a year as a prisoner of war, during which he suffered from illness and hardship.

His time in captivity was transformative. Francis began to question the values of wealth, power, and worldly pleasure that had previously guided his life. He grew introspective, searching for a deeper purpose and meaning beyond material success.

Spiritual Awakening and Renunciation of Wealth

Upon his release, Francis returned to Assisi a changed man. His former amusements lost their appeal, and he began to spend more time in prayer and solitude. He devoted himself to acts of charity, caring for lepers and the poor—those whom society shunned and neglected.

A pivotal moment came when Francis, while praying in the dilapidated church of San Damiano, heard a voice he believed to be that of Christ, saying, “Francis, repair my church, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.” Taking this message literally, Francis sold some of his father’s cloth to raise money for the church’s repairs. This act led to a public confrontation with his father and the townspeople. In a dramatic gesture of renunciation, Francis stripped off his fine clothes in the town square, returning them to his father and declaring his allegiance to God alone. From that moment forward, he embraced a life of poverty and simplicity.

The Birth of the Franciscan Order

Francis’s radical approach to Christian living drew followers. Inspired by his example, a group of men joined him in a life dedicated to the Gospel, poverty, and service to others. In 1209, Francis composed a simple rule based on the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing love, humility, and the renunciation of possessions.

With eleven companions, Francis journeyed to Rome to seek approval from Pope Innocent III for their way of life. Legend has it that the pope, initially wary, was convinced after a dream in which he saw Francis supporting the crumbling church. In 1210, the pope granted verbal approval for the new brotherhood, which would become known as the Order of Friars Minor, or the Franciscans.

The Franciscans traveled on foot, preaching repentance, peace, and the love of God throughout Italy and beyond. They cared for the sick and the poor, lived among those they served, and relied on alms for sustenance. Their joyful approach and sincere piety attracted many, and the movement spread rapidly.

Love for Nature and Creation

Francis is perhaps best known for his extraordinary relationship with nature. He saw all living things—animals, plants, even the sun and moon—as his brothers and sisters, part of a grand, harmonious family created by God. His poetic “Canticle of the Sun,” composed near the end of his life, celebrates the glory of creation and the interconnectedness of all existence.

Numerous stories—some legendary, some likely rooted in truth—illustrate Francis’s affinity for animals. It is said that he preached to the birds, persuaded a wolf to stop terrorizing the town of Gubbio, and treated all creatures with gentleness and compassion. For Francis, respect for the natural world was an expression of his reverence for the Creator.

A Life of Compassion and Peace

Francis’s commitment to nonviolence and peace was unwavering. He worked to reconcile feuding parties, discouraged armed conflict, and admonished his followers to love their enemies. During the Fifth Crusade, he famously journeyed to Egypt in 1219, crossing enemy lines to meet with Sultan al-Kamil. Francis hoped to bring about peace and interfaith understanding; although the Crusades continued, his courage and openness left a lasting impression.

Francis’s humility extended to all aspects of his life. He refused positions of power within the order he had founded, preferring to remain a simple servant among his brothers. He lived with illness and suffering, considering them opportunities for spiritual growth and union with Christ.

Writings and Teachings

Though not a prolific writer, Francis left behind a number of prayers, hymns, and exhortations that reveal the depth of his spiritual vision. His Rule of Life for the Franciscans emphasized poverty, humility, and the imitation of Christ. His letters and admonitions urged his followers to practice mercy, to rejoice in adversity, and to embrace the Gospel with sincerity and joy.

The “Canticle of the Sun,” also known as the “Canticle of the Creatures,” stands as a testament to Francis’s ecstatic love for God and creation. It remains one of the earliest works of literature in the Italian language.

Stigmata and Final Years

In 1224, while praying on Mount La Verna, Francis received the stigmata—the visible marks of Christ’s crucifixion—on his hands, feet, and side. This mystical experience, regarded by many as a sign of his deep union with Christ, was both a source of suffering and spiritual exaltation.

Weakened by illness and years of hardship, Francis spent his last years dictating his testament and encouraging his followers to remain true to their calling. On October 3, 1226, surrounded by his brothers and singing psalms, Francis died at the age of 44. He was buried in the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, a magnificent structure built to honor his legacy.

Canonization and Legacy

Only two years after his death, Francis was canonized a saint by Pope Gregory IX in 1228. His tomb became a major pilgrimage site, and the Franciscan movement continued to grow, inspiring orders for women (the Poor Clares, founded by his friend St. Clare of Assisi) and laypeople (the Third Order of St. Francis).

Francis’s influence transcends religious boundaries. He is celebrated as a patron of animals, ecology, and the environment, and his feast day, October 4, is marked by blessings of animals and special prayers for the care of creation. His life and teachings continue to inspire movements for peace, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

St Francis of Assisi’s life is a testament to the transformative power of love, humility, and compassion. His unwavering faith, radical poverty, and profound connection to the natural world offer a timeless vision of what it means to live in harmony with all creation. In an age longing for peace and meaning, his example shines with undiminished light, inviting all to walk the path of simplicity, generosity, and joy.

Saint Francis Pray for us!