St. Francis of Assisi
1182 or 1183 - 1266
Feast Day: October 4
Patron Saint of: Animals, Ecology, Merchants, Environment
Francis was born to a wealthy merchant. As a young man, he enjoyed an easy life, few responsibilities, was well liked, and considered a leader. Yet he yearned to be a knight. When Perugia and Assisi went to war, he joined the fight, was captured, and imprisoned for a year. After he was ransomed, he returned to his old, comfortable life. Still, he longed for glory and on the way to his next battle, he had a dream. God told him to return to Assisi. Turning to God in prayer and solitude, he focused on discovering his calling. While kneeling beneath the crucifix in San Damiano Church, he heard God. “Francis, repair my church.”
Immediately Francis went out and sold some of his father’s fabric to get supplies for repairs for the San Damiano Church. His father was furious and demanded his money back. Francis returned the money, denounced his inheritance, and even stripped himself of the very clothes he was wearing because they, too, were paid for by his father. Begging for stones, he rebuilt San Damiano and two other chapels that had fallen into disrepair.
Francis took the message of the gospel very literally and gave away all he had to serve the poor. Despite this life of poverty, others were attracted to him and joined him. He, like Jesus, sent his followers out two by two to minister to the surrounding communities. As his followers grew in number, Francis went to Rome to have his order approved by Pope Innocent III. He was made a Deacon in the church. A few years later, Clare heard him preach and together with her sister, Agnus, they formed an order for women called the Poor Clares. (Clare has also become a canonized Saint.)
Francis loved all of God’s creation. As he grew older, he allowed others to take leadership roles in his order so he could retreat to a mountainside and live in solitude. While living a life of pure poverty, he received the Stigmata, the five wounds of Christ, and offered up his suffering for others. Because a fresco painted of his life depicts Francis interceding for the souls in Purgatory, we can guess that his suffering might have been offered up specifically for those souls.
About a year and a half ago I was able to visit Assisi, Italy. His friary is still operating and educating Franciscans on a mountainside west of Assisi. If you go down themountain you can visit San Damiano Church. St. Francis not only took God’s message to rebuild his church literally, he took it figuratively as well. The Church did, indeed, need rebuilding, not with hammers and nails but with inspired words and a model of what living the gospel truly looked like. For someone who had so much wealth in his younger life, St. Francis never returned to his father for funds, but found he could become closer to God by living a very simple life. In fact, that’s what struck me the most about St. Francis. He essentially wore sackcloth, a very rough material that was likely very itchy and irritating to the skin. In the Bible, people who were in mourning or serving a penance wore sackcloth. St. Francis wore it everyday. Both he and St. Clare certainly drew closer to God by living a very simple life of poverty. Even a mattress was a luxury that was given up.
In the monastery, there is artwork depicting scenes from St. Francis’ life. One includes St. Francis and a wolf. Legend has it that a wolf was threatening the people in the town of Gubbio. St. Francis came, made peace with the wolf, and the wolf became his companion. Many other legends mention animals which is why St. Francis is considered the patron saint of pets. I hope your parish has a pet blessing. If not, you can suggest one for next year (and then politely remind the parish staff next spring).
Reflection Questions:
God’s Church still needs rebuilding, what can you do to help rebuild the Church? You can take that literally and participate in repairs in your own parish or community. Or you can focus on how to build up the people of the church. It could mean greeting those around you at mass that you don’t know, forgiving someone and letting them know that you’ve forgiven them, offering your talent in worship, or participating in fund raising events. Spend some time in prayer discovering something new that God is calling you to do to rebuild the Church.
Note about Pet Blessings: As a Faith Formation Coordinator who has organized pet blessings, make sure the pets are in cages, bowls (yes, they bring fish), and on leashes. One cat jumping out of someone’s arms can lead to all the dogs chasing it and a big hullabaloo. No one should bring an ant farm because the tunnels will collapse and the ants will die. And you want to avoid conception among pets at all cost. (You laugh, but I’ve lived it!) If you have enough time for people to slip home after an early mass to pick up their pets and return for the blessing AND enough time for others to slip home after the pet blessing to deposit their pets before returning in time for the later mass, I suggest doing so. (Though it sounds a little like a logistical nightmare, if it works it’s GREAT!) Having the blessing on the night of Religious Education classes is also an option. The kids get so excited to show off the pets they are so proud of. Pet treats and prayer cards can be distributed. I know I make it sound…difficult, but Father Larry and I LOVED it!!
