Saint Francis of Assisi

Patron Saint of animals, environment.

Feast Day: October 4th

Religious

Assisi, Italy

Feast Day: October 4th

Religious

Assisi, Italy

About

Saint Francis of Assisi (c. 1181–1226) was born in Assisi, Italy, to a wealthy merchant family. Known for his early life of luxury and revelry, Francis experienced a dramatic conversion after illness, imprisonment, and a divine calling from Christ to “rebuild My Church.” Renouncing his inheritance, he embraced a life of radical poverty, humility, and Gospel simplicity. He founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), calling men to live without possessions, preaching repentance, and serving the poor. Francis lived in joyful poverty and saw all creation as his brothers and sisters, famously preaching to birds and befriending a wolf. He received the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—in 1224, making him the first known saint to bear the physical marks of the Passion. His devotion to Christ and love of creation made him a model of holiness and a reformer in spirit and action.

Legacy

Saint Francis left behind one of the most enduring spiritual legacies in Catholic history. His Franciscan Order has inspired countless friars, nuns (especially the Poor Clares with St. Clare of Assisi), and lay people to pursue lives of simplicity, service, and Gospel witness. His Canticle of the Sun is one of the earliest literary works in Italian, celebrating God through the beauty of nature. Francis’ spirituality has inspired modern ecological awareness, peace movements, and interreligious dialogue. In 2013, Pope Francis became the first pope to take the saint’s name, stating that he chose it due to Francis’ deep concern for the poor and for creation. Today, Assisi is a global pilgrimage site, and Saint Francis remains a symbol of humility, peace, and joyful discipleship.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — Saint Francis of Assisi