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Saint Francis of Assisi

October 4

Saints Who Were Great Evangelizers

St. Francis of Assisi – One of the most beloved saints, Francis of Assisi lived the Gospel by identifying himself with the poor, embracing outcasts and enemies, and celebrating the goodness of God present in all creation. His witness revitalized a Church that had “fallen into ruin,” and his influence today goes beyond the order he founded and even beyond the Catholic Church. When the last two popes held interreligious gatherings to pray for peace, they met not in Rome, but in Assisi.

Lives of the Saints

by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. edition

[1894]

October 4.—ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI.

FRANCIS, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city in 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ’s poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation. The thought of the Man of Sorrows, Who had not where to lay His head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renounce the wealth and worldly station which he abhorred. The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen when he appeared among them in the garb of poverty were delightful to him. “Now,” he exclaimed, “I can say truly, ‘Our Father Who art in heaven.'” But divine love burned in him too mightily not to kindle like desires in other hearts. Many joined themselves to him, and were constituted by Pope Innocent III. into a religious Order, which spread rapidly throughout Christendom. St. Francis, after visiting the East in the vain quest of martyrdom, spent his life like his Divine Master—now in preaching to the multitudes, now amid desert solitudes in fasting and contemplation. During one of these retreats he received on his hands, feet, and side the print of the five bleeding wounds of Jesus. With the cry, “Welcome, sister Death,” he passed to the glory of his God October 4, 1226.

Reflection.—”My God and my all,” St. Francis’ constant prayer, explains both his poverty and his wealth.

Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Gal 1:13-24/Lk 10:38-42 (462).

CATHOLICISM SAINTS ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

*This artwork by Esteban Murillo  shows Saint Francis of Assisi embracing the Crucified Jesus, while the Saint’s foot rests on the globe, representing the mendicant friar’s renunciation of the world for Christ. Two angels hold a book, on which is written in Latin: “You who do not give up everything that you have cannot be my disciple.” The Savior wraps His right arm around Francis, showing His acceptance of the Saint’s offering.
**(Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian: Francesco d’Assisi; c. 1181 – 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianity. In 1223, he arranged for the first Christmas live nativity scene. Pope Gregory IX canonized him on 16 July 1228. Francis later became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment. It became customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.  

Mk 7:34–35

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