St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

Francis never felt called to the priesthood, but submitted to being ordained a deacon . . .

Feast Day: October 3
Canonized: July 16, 1228

Francis was enamored by the romantic chivalry propagated by troubadours of his day. As a young man he lived a lavish life of revelry. He joined the military and was taken prisoner during an expedition. Francis became ill and during his convalescence heard a voice ask, “Francis, is it better to serve the Master or man?”

Some time later, he met a leper whose grotesque sores horrified him. However, Francis gave the leper alms and kissed his wounds. He served the sick and gave away his possessions. While praying in the ruins of a church in San Damiano, he heard a voice from the crucifix saying, “Francis, rebuild my church, which as you see is falling all around you.” Francis spent the next three years rebuilding it with stone and mortar.

To pay for materials, Francis sold cloth and a horse from his father’s warehouse. When his clandestine act was discovered, his enraged father had him shackled and dragged to the bishop, demanding justice. There Francis renounced his inheritance, his father’s name, and returned everything, including the clothes on his back.

Francis gradually attracted many followers and wrote a simple Rule which received papal approval. Francis never felt called to the priesthood, but submitted to being ordained a deacon.

Francis received the stigmata, which he carried for the last two years of his life. At the time of his death he was nearly blind and suffered from stomach ulcers. He asked his brothers to take him to the Portiuncula (Little Portion) church, where he welcomed “Sister Death.” Francis told his followers before he died: “I have done my part; may Christ teach you to do yours.” Pope Gregory IX canonized him only two years later.

This column is produced for Legatus by the Dead Theologians Society, a Catholic apostolate for high school age teens and college age young adults. On the web: deadtheologianssociety.com.