Saint Francis of Assisi: Early Life

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI
EARLY LIFE
Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy family. His father was a rich merchant of silk who
gave Francis a lavish life of belongings. Francis was a very enthusiastic man. He was charming
and humorous, rolled up in bright clothing, and he liked music and singing.
Among the young people in Assisi, he was very famous that often made him inclined to being
arrogant. His family was Catholic, but at home or beyond Sunday Mass, they did not consciously
practice the faith. It was anticipated that he would follow his father into the textile business.
His biggest ambition was to be a knight. He bought a stunning, expensive armor suite and,
despite never having been trained in combat, eagerly awaited his first fight. However, he was
detained for ransom during his first military expedition against Perugia, and spent a year in
captivity. After seeing him on the battlefield with his suite, his captors figured that they could get
a decent amount for him.
HIS CONVERSION
Francis became severely ill when he was being captured and started to see the emptiness of his
earthly, carefree existence. His young body deteriorated and many historians believe that
physically he has never completely recovered. Francis was freed after his father paid the ransom,
and entered into a life of repentance and self-emptying, desiring to follow Christ's life. He started
to give away much of the pretty clothes and items that had formerly brought him a false sense of
optimism, much to the dismay of his relatives.
One day, while praying in San Damiano's abandoned field chapel, Francis heard Christ calling
from the crucifix, “Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down.” Francis
proceeded to restore the building construction by exchanging several of his clothes and items for
stones and instruments, taking the demand literally. The message of Christ, however, applied to
the totality of the universal Church.
His father was angry. He tried to make the diocesan bishop speak to Francis with some intent and
insist that he return the belongings granted to him by the family. They faced Francis in the public
square, renouncing his father and his properties. He gave everything up, down to his clothing,
and the bishop protected him with a robe of his own. Francis, most simply, was now at the hands
of the Church to meet everything his earthly needs.
HIS FOUNDING OF THE FRANCISCANS

In the hills of Assisi, Francis wondered as a beggar after the dramatic public ordeal. He adapted
the token tradition and staff of a pilgrim at this time. He begged for resources to begin to rebuild
San Damiano and reconstructed it using his own hands. In total, 12 men, plus many others who
tried to hear him preach, decided to pursue his way of life.
People became influenced by his poverty through his example and preaching, and started
following him. It influenced St. Clare, who, like Francis, gave up riches to live a life like Christ
of poverty and purity. She went on to establish the Poor Clare’s order, devoted to living the life
that was preached by Francis.
As he rode across the hills of Italy, Francis received the nicknames, “God’s fool” and "il
Poverello" (the little poor one). Five times a day, he prayed, reminding the body of Christ of the
gospel and God's love for them.
He regarded nature as God's great mirror. He named all creatures his “brothers and sisters,” even
the birds, sun and moon. He has also been seen preaching about the beauty of creation to the
birds in the trees.
HIS LATER LIFE AND DEATH

In 1224, while praying on Mount Verna, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, Francis had a
glimpse of a seraph, a six-winged angel on a cross, which left him with the stigmata - marks that
resemble the wounds of the crucifixion of Christ. They were never cured, remaining with him
until his death in 1226.
Pope Gregory XI in 1228, who laid the foundation stone for the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi,
pronounced him a saint.

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SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

HIS FOUNDING OF THE FRANCISCANS

HIS LATER LIFE AND DEATH

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