Biographies written about the life of individuals give insight into their struggles and accomplishments. A Saint Francis of Assisi biography offers this insight into the life of a saint. We know more about this saint than many of the others thanks to letters, poems and liturgical writings as well as what his followers wrote about him.
A clear picture emerges from authentic documents of a man who managed to capture the hearts and imaginations of many of his contemporaries. His simplicity, love of nature and animals and his great compassion for the poor were evident in his life. However, he did not start off with such admirable qualities.
He grew up in Umbria, Italy and his father was a rich merchant. As a young man he was known for his ready wit and fine clothes. He was gallant and courteous and always had plenty of money to spend. He had no interest in becoming a merchant or in learning.
It was only when he was imprisoned for a year during a petty war between his town and a neighboring town that his thoughts turned to less trivial matters. It also took bouts of illness to increase his interest in the spiritual life. Overcoming his revulsion and giving money to a leper was another act along the way to a life devoted to serving God.
He cut himself off from his father and began wandering around, speaking to people about repentance and the love of God. Some significant people were influenced by his message. One of these was a wealthy merchant who sold all his possessions, gave them to the poor and joined him. Another was a canon who left the cathedral to join him.
Francis and his followers eventually gained papal approval and he gave his order the name Friars Minor or Little Brothers, signifying their humble status. They did not believe in owning property but when given the chapel at Porzuincola, they accepted use of the grounds and built huts there. Soon communities began to spring up all over and the Franciscan order spread far and wide.
This saint had a strong desire to reach the infidels and even shed his blood for Christ if needs be. His desire for a life of contemplation was set aside in his attempts to evangelize them. The simple lifestyle practiced by the order at the outset became less easy as the numbers grew. On his return from his journeys, Francis realized that changes had taken place. He feared that the brothers were moving away from the simple principles of poverty, chastity and obedience and spent the rest of his life trying to bring them back to this.
Some time before his death in 1226 at the age of only 44 or 45 he was praying on the mountainside when he saw a vision and stigmata appeared on his body. One of the brothers who was with him at the time described a wound in his right side and nails in both his hands and feet. This is just one incident in the life of a remarkable man who not only manage to inspire his contemporaries but whose life story still has much interest for modern readers.
A clear picture emerges from authentic documents of a man who managed to capture the hearts and imaginations of many of his contemporaries. His simplicity, love of nature and animals and his great compassion for the poor were evident in his life. However, he did not start off with such admirable qualities.
He grew up in Umbria, Italy and his father was a rich merchant. As a young man he was known for his ready wit and fine clothes. He was gallant and courteous and always had plenty of money to spend. He had no interest in becoming a merchant or in learning.
It was only when he was imprisoned for a year during a petty war between his town and a neighboring town that his thoughts turned to less trivial matters. It also took bouts of illness to increase his interest in the spiritual life. Overcoming his revulsion and giving money to a leper was another act along the way to a life devoted to serving God.
He cut himself off from his father and began wandering around, speaking to people about repentance and the love of God. Some significant people were influenced by his message. One of these was a wealthy merchant who sold all his possessions, gave them to the poor and joined him. Another was a canon who left the cathedral to join him.
Francis and his followers eventually gained papal approval and he gave his order the name Friars Minor or Little Brothers, signifying their humble status. They did not believe in owning property but when given the chapel at Porzuincola, they accepted use of the grounds and built huts there. Soon communities began to spring up all over and the Franciscan order spread far and wide.
This saint had a strong desire to reach the infidels and even shed his blood for Christ if needs be. His desire for a life of contemplation was set aside in his attempts to evangelize them. The simple lifestyle practiced by the order at the outset became less easy as the numbers grew. On his return from his journeys, Francis realized that changes had taken place. He feared that the brothers were moving away from the simple principles of poverty, chastity and obedience and spent the rest of his life trying to bring them back to this.
Some time before his death in 1226 at the age of only 44 or 45 he was praying on the mountainside when he saw a vision and stigmata appeared on his body. One of the brothers who was with him at the time described a wound in his right side and nails in both his hands and feet. This is just one incident in the life of a remarkable man who not only manage to inspire his contemporaries but whose life story still has much interest for modern readers.
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