Friar and Patron Saint

Catholic deacon

Founder of the Franciscans

SAINT FRANCIS of ASSISI

By: john thomas

Blessing of the Animals Ceremonies are held on

October 4th , the day of his feast.

patron saint of animals, the environment and Italy,

Born in Assisi, Italy to a wealthy cloth merchant in 1182 CE.

Baptized in honor of John the Baptist, in the hopes he would grow to be a great religious leader.

Francis the Hellion

“Story of the beggar."

early life

steps toward transformation

1201 - joined a military expedition against.

held as prisoner of war for 1 year

1203 - returned to Assisi and his old ways

1204 - serious illness led to a spiritual crisis.

1205 - Enlisted in the army again

Soon after, A strange vision made him return to Assisi he began to avoid the “sports” and his former companions.

transformation

Self isolation - prayer for enlightenment.

Takes to nursing lepers.

Another Mystical vision.

Disowns his father.

Sermon on Matthew 10:9.

Founding of the Order of Friars Minor.

1219 - Mission to Egypt – Converting the Sultan?

The Nativity Scene

Although drawings and paintings of the Nativity Scene preceded his time;Saint Francis was the first to create a three dimensional scene using live animals.

the phenomenon of stigmata

While praying during a forty-day fast; Francis received the five wounds of Christ.

transformation

1228 - Pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX.

Saint Francis is considered the first Italian poet by literary critics.

He believed commoners should be able to pray to God in their own language, and he wrote often in the dialect of Umbria instead of Latin.

His writings are considered to have great literary, as well as religious value.

Legends of FRANCIS and the animals

Preaching to the birds

Ministering the Wolf

Prayer of Saint FrancisMany different versions of the prayer exist. The most popular is the following:

References"Francis of Assisi". Wikipedia. 12/5/09 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi>.

Mertens, A.. "Who was a Christian in the Holy Land?“. 12/5/09 <http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/sbf/escurs/wwc/f.html>.

Sabatier, Paul. "Life of St. Francis of Assisi". Gutenberg. 12/5/09 <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18787/18787-8.txt>.

Woolnoth, Mary. "St Francis Lecture". The Diocese of London. 12/5/09 <http://www.london.anglican.org/SermonShow_5071>.

Ingleby, Francis . "St. Francis of Assisi". Catholic Encyclopedia. 12/5/09 <http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/St._Francis_of_Assisi>.