St. Francis of Assisi

Born: ~1118

Died: October 3rd, 1226

Feast Day: October 4th

Canonization Date: July 16, 1228

Patron of: Animals, Peace, and Merchants

Quote: "Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

Bio: Born in 1181, Francis was a child of a very prosperous silk trader, Pietro di Bernardone dei Moriconi, and his mother, Pica di Bourlemont, who was a French noblewoman. And, as many rich children back then and even today, he definitely showed it. Francis would party, wear bright and expensive clothing, and had very rich friends. But, in 1205, Francis enlisted in the Army and after leaving, he had a vision where a divine voice asked him, "Is it better to serve the master, or the servant?" This made Francis realize that he needed to serve God so he returned to Assisi and he lost interest in worldly life. On a pilgrimage to Rome, Francis joined a group of the poor to beg in front of St. Peter's Basilica where he had a vision of Jesus telling him to repair His church which is in ruin. So Francis sold some of his father's silk that he stole and went to a priest to help rebuild the church but the priest refused to take the ill-gained money and didn't help Francis. In 1208, Francis started the Orders of Friars Minor and 11 men started to follow him everywhere he went to preach with him. In 1224, while Francis was praying, he received a vision from a six-winged angel on a cross and after this, he had visible stigmata. Suffering with the pain of the stigmata and trachoma, he received care in several cities to no avail. He eventually went blind and was brought back to his hut in Porziuncola where he spent his final days. He died singing Psalm 141 and, since Francis was a friend of his, Pope Gregory IX made him a saint 2 years later. Francis started his order with just 11 men and died with it exceeding 5,000 because he was just so influential.
St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for Us!