St Francis of Assisi
(1181-1226)
St. Francis was born Francesco Bernardone, in Assisi, Italy. His father, Pietro, was a wealthy and successful merchant, who expected his son would follow him in the family business. Francis considered this, yet also dreamed, in his early years, of being a troubadour, and a hero for his country. He joined the military in 1201, and in 1202 was captured and spent a year in prison. Soon after this he began to question his lifestyle, and he began to desire to know God.
The history of his life was collected by Thomas of Celano, commissioned by Pope Gregory IX, and included information from many of the brothers who were closest to him. Thomas tells us, of that time in Francis's life in which he began to look within;
“Now perfectly changed in heart, and soon to be changed in body, Francis was strolling one day near the old church of St. Damien, which was nearly destroyed and abandoned by all. The spirit led him to enter the church and pray. Devoutly lying prostrate before the crucifix, stirred by unusual visitations, he found he was different than when he had entered. While he was in this affected state, something absolutely unheard of occurred. The crucifix moved its lips and began to speak. “Francis,” it said, calling him by name, “go and repair my house, which, as you see, is completely destroyed.” Francis was stupefied and nearly deranged by this speech. He prepared to obey, surrendering himself completely to the project. But since he considered the change in him to be beyond description, it is best for us to be silent about what he himself could not describe. From then on, compassion for the crucified one was imprinted in his holy soul and, one may devoutly suspect, the stigmata of the holy passions were deeply imprinted in his heart, though not yet in his flesh.”
After this experience, Francis took all he owned and went to the market selling everything but his clothing and staff. He sought to get rid of the money from the sale as quickly as possible, as he decided that carrying money for any amount of time was a burden. He approached the city of Assisi, and entered the church of St. Damien, which was ready to collapse. He found a poor priest within, and fell to his knees, offering the money he was carrying and communicating his plans of repairing the church. The priest was stunned in disbelief, as he knew Francis as an ordinary, and far from spiritual, young man. With passion he begged for the priest to accept him, and the priest relented, but would not except the money. Francis threw it on the sill of the window, for, “He wanted to possess wisdom, which is better than gold, and prudence, which is more precious than silver.”
Francis's father was very upset, and he locked his son up at home. His mother, soft of heart, released him. Finally in 1206 his father brought him before the bishop of Assisi, hoping for counsel. In audience with the bishop, Francis removed his clothing and threw them aside, returning them to his father. He stood there completely naked, showing his determination and passion in leaving behind life with his family, as well as wealth and comfort, and taking up the life as a man of spirit. The bishop saw that Francis was divinely inspired, and began to support him in his endeavors. After this, Francis began traveling, ministering to the sick, inspiring the poor, and rebuilding the churches in the area. He began to attract other devout men, who admired his simplicity and passion for God.
Eventually Pope Innocent III blessed the Franciscan order, and it quickly grew. Francis wrote Rules for the order, which included owning only one tunic, no shoes, a rope as a belt, and begging for the food necessary for sustenance, giving all excess to the poor. As the order grew, the Franciscans traveled widely and helped many, preaching love for God wherever they went.
St. Francis is well known today as the patron saint of animals. There are many stories of his communion with creatures of nature, whom he considered had their ears tuned to God at all times. He preached to the animals in the forest, and there are many stories of witnesses who saw them listening. One such story, recorded by Thomas of Celano, goes: “One day he came to a town called Alviano, to preach the word of God. Ascending to where he could be seen by all, he asked for silence. The people became quiet and waited reverently, but a flock of swallows building nests in that place continued to chatter away, making it impossible for the people to hear. Francis spoke to them, ‘My sisters the swallows, it's my turn to speak now, because you've already said enough. Listen to the word of God. Stay still and quiet until it's over.’ To the people's amazement the little birds immediately stopped chattering and did not move until Francis had finished preaching. Those who witnessed this sight were filled with wonder and said, ‘Truly this man is holy and a friend of the most High.’ Praising and blessing God, they devoutly hurried to touch at least his clothing. And it is marvelous how these irrational creatures recognized his affection for them, sensed his love.”
A story Thomas tells of St. Francis’ protection of animals is: “Once, when he was staying in the town of Greccio, a hare was caught in a trap and brought to live with Francis by a brother. Seeing the hare, the blessed man was moved to pity and said, ‘Brother hare, come here. Why did you let yourself be fooled in this way?’ As soon as the hare was released by the brother, he dashed over to Francis and, without being forced to do so, settled into his lap as the safest place available. When he had rested for a while, the Holy Father, stroking him with maternal affection, let him go so that he could return to the wild. Each time he was placed on the ground, the hare ran back to Francis's lap. Finally Francis asked that the brothers carry him to a nearby forest.”
There are many other stories of Francis' connection with animals, as well as many stories of miracles performed by St. Francis. People were healed by touching his clothing, and wherever he went, people gathered around him, seeking to touch the hem of his tunic. Often, people cut pieces of his tunic, to take them to loved ones in need. One story tells of a woman in childbirth, who was near death. Her family heard that St. Francis was passing through and sought him out. On seeing one of the Franciscan brothers, thinking this brother was St. Francis, the relative hastened to explain the situation. In finding out that St. Francis had already passed through, the brother took the bridle from a horse on which St. Francis had ridden. The bridle was taken and laid over the laboring mother, and she delivered quickly and safely.
St. Francis’ fervent desire was to live as Jesus Christ, and in the last years of his life he had a vision that filled him with wonder. The vision was of a great Seraph, a man with six wings standing above him, with hands extended, and feet together, affixed to a cross. Two wings were raised over his head, two extended in flight, and two hid his entire body. He did not understand the vision, but rejoiced in it, while at the same time feeling sadness that the Seraph was suffering on the cross. As he contemplated deeply and passionately this vision, the mark of nails began to appear in his hands and feet, and a wound appeared on his right side, soaking his tunic with blood. In his final days, as he suffered illness, and great pain from his wounds, he sought to hide the stigmata, cherishing it as his private link with God.
St. Francis returned to his Father in 1226. However, his model of a life of simplicity, poverty, and humility before God, as well as his care of the poor and the animals, inspires the Franciscan church to this day. Many are familiar with this sublime poem, entitled:
Peace Prayer Of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument for your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving, that we receive,
it is in pardoning, that we are pardoned
and it is in dying, that we are born to eternal.
This was a very healing prayer for St Francis, during his time of enlightenment when he was finding inner peace. He was not a miracle worker, but he and his disciples traveled the world healing both people and animals. As well as spreading the spiritual enlightenment and growth they found in simplicity and the miracle of inner peace. Our Lady peace is a known icon of peace and spiritual healing, Nobel peace prize winners are known for furthering the spread of world peace. Similarly the St Francis prayer is about spreading spiritual peace. It’s a prayer of earnest desire for spiritual growth.