Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/October 4

Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans.

Francis was born to Pietro di Bernardone, a prominent businessman. He was baptized as Giovanni di Bernardone in honor of Saint John the Baptist, in the hope he would grow to be a great religious leader. Pietro decided to call him Francesco (Francis), in honor of the child's maternal heritage.

Francis spent most of his youth lost in books (ironically, his father's wealth did afford his son an excellent education, and he became fluent in reading several languages including Latin). He was also known for drinking and enjoying the company of his many friends, who were usually the sons of nobles.

On February 24, 1209), Francis heard a sermon that changed his life. Francis was inspired to devote himself wholly to a life of poverty.

Clad in a rough garment, barefoot, and without staff or scrip, he began to preach repentance. Many companions joined Francis. Francis chose never to be ordained a priest, and the community lived as "fratres minores", in Latin, "lesser brothers".

In 1209 Francis led his first 11 followers to Rome to seek permission from Pope Innocent III to found a new religious order. From then on, his new order grew quickly with new vocations.

Francis is said to have had a vision on or about 14 September 1224, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, as a result of which he received the stigmata. He died on the evening of 3 October 1226 singing Psalm 141. His feast day is observed 4 October.

Attributes: Dove, Stigmata, poor Franciscan habit, cross, Pax et Bonum
Patronage: animals, merchants, Italy, Meycauayan, Philippines, Catholic Action, the environment
Prayer: Prayer for Animals God Our Heavenly Father, You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect. May the order You originally established be once again restored to the whole world through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary, the prayers of Saint Francis and the merits of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns with You now and forever. Amen.