St. Francis is one of the most popular saints of all times. People from all parts of the world, and even different religions, look up to him as a true man of God. Francis Bernardone was born at Assisi, Italy in 1181. He came from a fairly wealthy family, his father being a successful merchant. Francis dreamed of becoming a famous knight. Once he was imprisoned and there the Lord spoke to him a message about serving his true Master, God.

St. Francis experienced a profound spiritual conversion and gave his entire life, including his very clothing, to God. He began to rebuild worn-down churches, serve lepers and embrace a life of evangelical poverty and prayer that soon attracted followers. By 1210, he had twelve followers and they made their way to Rome for the blessing of Pope Innocent III on their way of life.

Although he initially wrote them off as ordinary dirty begars, the Pope eventually approved of their rule of life, which was simply the Gospel put into action. They became known as the "Friars Minor". They travelled throughout Italy preaching God's love and the need for doing penance for sins.

Soon St. Francis attracted the interest of a young virgin named Clare. She left her family to join St. Francis and founded the Order of Poor Clares. Lay people also wanted to follow St. Francis' way of life, so he started an order for them, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, known today as the Secular Franciscan Order.

St. Francis saw all of creation as his brother or sister. He called water sister water, and fire brother fire. Animals were known to listen to his preaching and show their approval in various ways. He tamed a ferocious wolf that had been killing people in a town named Gubio. Near the end of his life, St. Francis received the stigmata, or five wounds of Christ, in his body while he was praying on a mountain. He had the gift of prophecy and performed numerous miracles during his life and after his death.

One of his best known writings is the "Canticle of Brother Sun," in which he praises God through all his creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun. He was very concerned with being faithful to who he called "Lady Poverty," not allowing himself anything that goes against Gospel simplicity and the example of Christ's life of poverty.

He lived a life of constant prayer, daily fasting and apostolic zeal for the salvation of souls. He felt that one of the best ways to win souls for God was to bring people joy and make them happy. He taught that the greatest gift we can receive from God in this life is to conquer our self by renouncing our own will. Once a man saw St. Francis praying all night long the words "My Lord and my God!" St. Francis died on October 3, 1226 at sunset, singing Psalm 142 verse 8 "Lead me forth from prison that I may give thanks to Your Name."
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.