St. Francis

St. Francis is considered a legendary hero and a popular saint. He was born in 1181, the middle of a time of great increases and expansions in the medieval West, in Assisi, the place where this was strongest. His parents were Pietro and Pica Bernardone. His father was a wealthy silk merchant. St. Francis spent his childhood in good living. He was always in trouble and ran around Assisi with his friends.

He went to war to fight for Assisi and was taken prisoner in 1202. Eventually he was released and once again, returned to his old carefree ways. He became very sick for a while but then he experienced a vision of Christ at Spoleto which was then followed by another vision while he returned to Assisi.

One vision was of Christ telling him, "Go and rebuild my church. It is falling down." These were the visions which had changed his life. Instead of his wealthy life, St. Francis chose a life of poverty. His stories are told about him preaching to the birds, telling them that God loves them and that they should praise God for everything. One of these incidents was the inauguration of the Christmas crib at Grecchio, where Francis read the Gospel with such devotion that it made men cry. Francis was known to have a close bond or relationship with animals. Francis was buried in the church of St. Francis approached the wolf and made a deal

with him that if he would stop killing, then the people of the town would leave him food for the rest of his life.

He began by living a very wealthy life to taking the vow of poverty. This saint teaches Christians to lose their desire for material things. One can be more happy if he is helping out those who are less fortunate. It is the three vows that say it all, obedience, poverty and chastity. St. Francis of Assisi is a great influence to follow because he showed that money can not take over one's mind, but perhaps God shall take over, and God will