The Inspiring Life of St. Francis of Assisi

Posted by Meg Nola Oct 4, 2008

October 4^th is the day of Saint Francis of Assisi on the official Catholic calendar, a man not only beloved by believers throughout the world but who is also is the saint best-liked by agnostics. Meaning that while they still aren’t sure about the presence of God, they greatly admire St. Francis himself and his beliefs and actions.

He was born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy. His father was a wealthy merchant who gave his son a comfortable upbringing, and as a young man St. Francis was definitely into the pleasures of life and enjoyment of wine, women and song. When Perugia instigated a war against Assisi in 1201, St. Francis willingly went to fight. After being taken prisoner and returning home, however, his personality and focus gradually began to change, and following a vision to repair a church in San Damiano, Italy, he grew more determined to devote himself to God and helping others. St. Francis even stripped off his fine clothes in front of his exasperated father, to show how he was ready to cast aside his former life. A dramatic gesture for sure, but most likely one St. Francis needed to make to prove to himself and those around him that he was serious about becoming a new man. From then on he took vows of poverty and celibacy and started the Franciscan Order, never losing his passionate spirit, sense of humor and idealism.

St. Francis of Assisi is well-known for his love of animals, along with his great rapport with “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon” as he called them, and his respect for the beauty of the earth. He’s been depicted in art by many painters since his death in 1226, with particular intensity by Spaniards Francisco de Zurbaran and El Greco. In reality, though, St. Francis of Assisi was described as slender and “of middle height, inclining to shortness…his eyes black and candid, his hair dark…his nose straight and thin…[h]is nature was sweet and courteous…seldom angry, quickly forgave, knew how to keep a secret and easily adjusted himself to different sorts of men…..” His life is a great example of the combined power of small and large gestures, and his approach to change is still something to apply to our world today: