St. Francis of Assisi
He also advised them to take care of Brother Wolf who would not now be killing for his sustenance. So from then on the wolf went from door to door receiving food and love from the people of Gubbio.
St. Francis and the Birds
One day near the Town of Bevagna, Francis and his traveling companions saw a great number of birds - crows, rooks, pigeons, bullfinches, magpie. The birds did not flee as the group approached, but waited as Francis neared.
Francis spoke to the birds, "May the Lord be with you." And he asked for their attention while he spoke to them. And a supernatural silence they gave him. Francis complimented their tasteful attire - no "busy" patterns to offend - and congratulated them on the freedom that their wings give them. How they were blessed, he told them, and he added that they should thank God all the day long.
The birds showed their appreciation for his words and God by flapping their wings while some craned their necks for a better view of the speaker. Francis walked among them, but none flew away until the "lesson" was over and they were granted leave.
St. Francis and the Wild Doves
One day a young man caught a number of wild doves which he was going to sell. On his way, he happened to meet Francis who inquired about his intentions. Francis then asked for the doves which he described as "emblems in scripture" so that they would not fall into cruel hands or suffer a tortued death. The young man was inspired and immediately gave then to Francis.
Francis embraced the doves saying, "O my little sisters the doves, so simple, so innocent and so chaste. Why did you allow yourselves to be caught? I will save you from death, and make your nests, that you may increase and mulitply, according to the command of God."
He took them home and prepared nests for them and the doves lived among Francis and friars as if they had always been pet hens, rather than wid doves.
To the young man he said, "My son, thou shalt become a friar in this Order; and shalt serve most fervently the Lord Jesus Christ." And that too, came to pass, the young man living a life in the Order, perhaps saved from a spiritual death.
His Life
St. Francis of Assisi, biography from the Catholic
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