Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1182-1226)

Francis was born around A.D. 1182 in Assisi, Italy. He was a member of a wealthy middle-class family and was headed for a life of carefree pleasure and comfort. Nevertheless, through some disappointing experience in his pursuit of wealth and pleasure, he sensed failure and emptiness in his personal life (some of us have felt this same way … a failure and empty). And, yet, at the same time as he felt failure in life, he became aware of others in need all around him, e.g., the hungry, the helpless, the hurt and the diseased. At first, around age 25, he felt called to repair places of worship, and then (age 27) felt called of God to help others. He soon had many followers who participated in the caring ministry to others. At age 25 he had 11 followers, and later, at age 38, he had over 5,000 followers. 

Francis had rededicated his life to God, had renounced his worldly possessions and any dreams of worldly success, and had committed his life to serving others. He took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He had inaugurated the monastic order of the Franciscans, an order in the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to serving the world’s needy. 

Saint Francis of Assisi is remembered as one who loved God, identified with the oppressed, and loved all of God’s creations. He is often portrayed as being at one with nature, with the birds of the air, with the beasts of the field, with trees and flowers, and with the sun, moon and stars. As a Christian, he desired will all of his heart to follow the example of his Lord. He is credited with the words of the beautiful hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King,” and with the “Peace Prayer,” 

Here is that special prayer known and loved by millions around the world:

Lord, make me an instrument of 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, and 

Where there is sadness, joy. 

O, Divine Master, 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 received; 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.