Origins
Son of Pedro and Dona Pica Bernardone, Francisco was born between 1181 and 1182, in the city of Assisi, Italy. His father was a rich and prosperous merchant. He was baptized in Santa Maria Maior with the name John (Giovanni). But when Pietro Bernardone returned from a trip to France, he changed his mind and decided to change his son’s name to Francisco, paying homage to that land.
Ambitions
According to most biographers of Saint Francis of Assisi, his character and best qualities came from his mother. Like every ambitious young man of his time, Francisco wanted to achieve, in addition to fortune, also fame and the title of nobility. To do so, it was necessary to become a hero in one of these frequent battles. In the year 1201, encouraged by his father, he went to war that the feudal lords had declared against the Commune of Assisi.
Between 1202 and 1205, we find a restless Francis. It is not just the consequence of a long and mysterious illness. It is the restlessness of someone who is uncertain about the meaning of their life. He decides to be a knight and goes in the name of honor to defend the Church and its interests, called upon by Pope Innocent III.
The Meeting and Renunciation of Assets
In the city of Spoleto, symptoms of fever meant that Francisco could not leave. There he thought he heard the voice of the Lord, with whom he spoke: “Francis, which is more important, serving the Lord or serving the servant? Serve the Lord, of course. replied the young man. So why do you enlist in the ranks of the servant? Lord, what do you want me to do? Return to Assisi and it will be told you there, says the Voice.”
In search of answers, he decided to travel to Rome, in the year 1205. He visited the tomb of the Apostle Saint Peter and exclaimed: “It is a shame that men are so miserable with the Prince of Apostles!” And he threw in a large handful of gold coins, contrasting with the meager alms of other, less generous believers. Then he exchanged his rich clothes for those of a beggar and had his first experience of living in poverty. He returned to Assisi, to his father’s house, giving himself even more to prayer and silence.
Saint Damian’s Request
In 1206, while riding on horseback through the Assisi countryside, he saw a leper, repugnant to sight and smell, causing him disgust. But then, moved by God, he placed his money in those bloody hands and gave him a kiss. Speaking later about this moment, he says: “What was bitter before for me now changed into sweetness in my soul and body. From that moment on, I was able to move away from the world and give myself to God.” Shortly afterwards, he entered to pray and meditate in the small chapel of São Damião, half-destroyed by neglect. He was kneeling in prayer at the foot of a crucifix when a voice, coming from the crucifix, spoke to him: “Francis, go and rebuild my Church that is in ruins”.
Withdrawal from Family and Friends
His father became increasingly indignant and decided to demand that his son return everything he had received from him, taking him to the bishop for judgment. Francis, aware of Christ’s sentence: “Whoever loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Mt 19:29), without hesitating for a moment, he stripped himself of everything until he was naked, threw his clothes and money at his father’s feet, and exclaimed: “Until now I have called Pedro Bernardone father. From now on I will have no other father but the Heavenly Father.” The Bishop then welcomed him. From that moment on, singing “I am the herald of the Great King, Jesus Christ”, he distanced himself from his family and friends and dedicated himself to the service of lepers and the reconstruction of the city’s chapels.
Purely living the Gospel
When he was almost finishing the reconstruction of the little chapel of Santa Maria dos Anjos, he asked himself what he would do, what God wanted from him. Then, one day, during Mass, Francisco heard the Gospel reading: “no tunics, no staff, no sandals, no provisions, no money in my pocket…” (Luke 9:3). These words found an echo in his heart and were like an intense light for him. And he exclaimed, full of joy: “That is precisely what I want! That’s what I want with all my heart!” And without delay, he began to live, as he would throughout his life, the pure letter of the Gospel. He always repeated to himself and, later, also to his companions: “Our rule of life is to live the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ”!
He didn’t want followers, just live his austere life and evangelize
From then on, Francisco went out to preach, traveling through the neighborhoods and bringing the Gospel. He had no intention of acquiring followers, just living his austere life and evangelizing. However, Bernardo de Quintaval soon joined him and along the way he joined the two Pedro de Catânia.
Three times they opened the book of the Gospel, and the three answers they found were the following: “If you want to be perfect, sell what you have and give it to the poor. Then come and follow me.” (Mt 19,21). “Take nothing along the way, not a staff, not a bag, not a second tunic…” (Luke 9:3). “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Mt 16,24). “This is what we must do, and this is what everyone who wants to come with us will do” – exclaimed Francisco, who suddenly saw a light shining on the path he and his companions should follow.
Foundation of the Fraternity of the Minor Brothers
Finally, he found what he had been looking for for so long! This happened on February 24, 1208, beginning the foundation of the Fraternity of the Minor Brothers.
In 1209, Francis and his companions went to Pope Innocent III to ask for approval of their charisma. He was amazed by the life purpose of that group and, especially, by the figure of Saint Francis of Assisi, the clarity of his option and the firmness he demonstrated. He recognized in him the man he had just seen in a dream, holding the columns of the Lateran Church, which was threatening to collapse.
The Recognition of God Himself in His Work
The Pope recognized that it was God himself who inspired Saint Francis of Assisi to radically live the Gospel, bringing new life to the entire Church. Therefore, he gave his way of living the Gospel official approval. He authorized Francis and his followers to preach the Gospel in churches and beyond.
Clara’s inspiration
Francis inspired Clare to holiness, from which the Poor Clares emerged. Thomas of Celano says: “So, she submitted herself completely to Francisco’s advice, taking him as the guide of her path, after God. Therefore, her soul remained dependent on his holy exhortations, and with a warm heart she welcomed everything he taught her about the good Jesus. She already found it difficult to bear the elegance of worldly decorations, and she despised as rubbish everything that people applaud outside, in order to win Christ.”
Easter
Every year, from August 15th to September 29th, Saint Francis of Assisi had the custom of preparing himself with a Lent of prayer and fasting for the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. In the year 1224, he had a vision of the winged Seraphim and received the stigmata. His health condition worsens a lot from then on. It was the end of August, in 1226, he asked to be taken to Portiuncula. On October 3rd, in the afternoon, Saint Francis of Assisi died singing “mortem suscept”. The following Sunday, he was buried in the church of São Jorge, in the city of Assis.
Way of Sanctification
On July 16, 1228, Saint Francis of Assisi was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. He became the patron saint of animals, due to his admiration and close relationship with nature. He was also elevated to main patron saint of Italy in 1939 by Pius XII.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace. Where there is Hatred, may I bring Love. Where there is offensive words, shall I bring forgiveness. Where there is Discord, may I take Union. Where there is Doubt, may I take Faith. Where there is Error, may I take Truth. Where there is despair, I may bring hope. Where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Where there is darkness, let me bring light! O Master, make me seek more: to console, than to be consoled; to understand, to be understood; to love, to be loved. It is in giving that we receive. By forgiving, one is forgiven and by dying, one lives for eternal life! Amen.”
My prayer
“O great reformer of the Church, father of a multitude of saints and religious, grant us to imitate your virtues of charity, poverty and chastity, as well as to reflect on your spirituality that formed so many souls. May Love incarnate be loved! Amen.”
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on October 4th
- In Bologna, today in Emilia-Romagna, in the region of Italy, Saint PetroniusBishop. († c. 450)
- In the territory of Gaul Turonense, in modern-day France, Saint Quintinomartyr. († s. VI)
- In Paris, in Gaul, today in France, Saint Áureaabbess, appointed by Saint Eligio to preside over the monastery he had founded within the city according to the rule of Saint Columbanus. († 856)
- In New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States of North America, Blessed Francisco Xavier Seelospresbyter of the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer. († 1867)
- In Xaraco, a town in the province of Valencia, in Spain, Blessed Henry Morant Pellicerpresbyter and martyr. († 1936)
- Near Gandia, in the same province as Valencia, Blessed José Canet Ginerpresbyter and martyr. († 1936)
- In Bellrreguart, also in the province of Valencia, Blessed Alfredo Pellicer Muñoz (Jaime), religious of the Order of Friars Minor and martyr.
Source:
- Franciscanos.org.br
- Book “A saint for every day” – Mário Sgarbossa – Luigi Giovannini
- Book “Relation of Saints and Blesseds of the Church” – Prof. Felipe Aquino
- Roman Martyrology
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo
– Prayer: Rafael Vitto – Community