St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) abandoned a wealthy life to follow Christ in radical poverty. Stripping himself before the bishop, he embraced Lady Poverty and began to rebuild the Church.
In 1209, Francis and his first eleven companions received approval from Pope Innocent III. The Franciscans grew rapidly, characterized by absolute poverty, joyful preaching, and devotion to the Eucharist. St Clare founded the Poor Clares.
In September 1224 on Mount La Verna, while in ecstatic prayer, Francis received the visible wounds of Christ’s Crucifixion—the first person in history to receive this miraculous sign.
Francis’s Canticle of the Sun praises God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water, and Sister Earth. This vision of creation as a family makes him the patron saint of ecology.
Francis died on October 3, 1226, at the Porziuncola. His feast is October 4, when many parishes bless animals. His radical poverty, joyful surrender to God, and devotion to the Eucharist continue to inspire millions.
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