Saint Fancis of Assisi

Saint Francis was born in 1182, in Assisi Italy. His real name is Giovanni Francesco Bernardone, but his father wanted him to be called Francis. He received very little education as a child, even though his father was a rich merchant. His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was a wealthy merchant, and his mother's name was Pica. Francis always dreamed about riding through the town as a hero. His father wanted Francis to learn about being a silk merchant, but Francis wasn't interested. Later, the city he lived in, Assissi, got into a battle with a neighboring city of Perugia, and Francis fought in the battle. He bought fancy horses, swords, and clothes to impress others. He was captured and put in jail for 1 year, and during this time he came down with a severe illness. After he was released from prison he decided to change his life. Francis visited many places, but lived in Assisi Italy. He had also lived in Mt. Subasio in 1208. There, during mass, he heard a voice saying to him three times to go out into the world and to posses nothing and do good everywhere. He then went to the Holy Land, but on his way his ship was wrecked so he had to return back to Assisi. Then he went to Egypt were he wanted to convert the Sultan but had no success. He again tried to go to the Holy Land and this time succeeded. He lived there until 1220. During this time 5 other Franciscan brothers were martyred. Francis too was willing to die for his faith, but was spared. He returned to Assisi.

St. Francis had many accomplishments in his life. He began his religious life after he survived his illness. He lived as a Hermit, and attracted followers. After that, he visited hospitals and gave clothes to the ill. Sometimes he gave the homeless money and food. One time when he was walking back from prison, an old beggar came up to him. The beggar asked Francis for a cloak. Francis thought for a while, he knew he had another cloak at home, but then he wondered if the old man was trying to trick him. Francis decided to give the man his cloak and they traded cloaks. Francis said to the man that mine is warmer than the one you have and I am not cold at all

Another act of kindness was when Francis was going to be a knight. His father got the best craftsman in Assisi to make him an outfit, such as armor, a cape, and weapons. Right outside the city Francis saw an old knight who was standing there half naked. Francis got off his horse and gave the old knight all his new weapons and his red cape.

One more accomplishment Francis had was when he gathered 12 followers. Francis and his followers established an order called the First Order. Then in 1212 he formed an order for women called the Poor Clares. Also Francis established a third order, in 1221, for lay men and women. This order was called the Third Order. He preached necessity of a poor, simple-life style based on the ideals of Gospels.

St. Francis was canonized in 1228 and his feast day is on October 4. In 1990, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him as the patron saint of ecologists.

The reasons why I picked this saint is because I was curious what St. Francis did in his life. I also wanted to know how he became was a saint and when his feast day was. The thing that I found out that was most interesting about St. Francis was that he was very determined at everything he did in his life. He always went through with everything he encountered in his life. I can imitate St. Francis in my life by listening to God even when I am not sure that it is the right thing to do. Also I can be caring to the people I meet everyday in my life. He also taught me how important it is to share what we have.