He started life as a rather ordinary son of a rich cloth
merchant in Assisi. This meant he lived very privileged life by the standards
of the day, with plenty of food on the table, rich clothing, and festive
friends. After going off to war in 1201, he was imprisoned. Upon release, he
returned to Assisi only to enlist in 1205 in the Count of Brienne’s army. He
left the army not long afterward and returned to Assisi, a changed man.
Francis began praying for enlightenment, and to his parents
chagrin, ministered to lepers and made a pilgrimage to Rome where he joined
beggars. About this time, he had the famous vision of Christ in the chapel of
San Damiano. The Lord told him, “Francis,
go and repair My house, which, as you see, is falling into ruins.” Thinking
this mean the physical chapel, he sold some of his father’s cloth goods
(without permission). This action led his father to bring him before the Bishop
of Assisi for judgment. It was then that Francis publically renounced his
father and family, by removing everything his father had given him, including
the clothes he was wearing.
Francis then took up the life of a beggar and penitent in
the Assisi area and began working to restore several chapels. In 1209, he heard
a sermon on Matthew 10:9. This inspired Francis to take up the life of an
itinerant preacher. His actions gained him followers. This group formed a
community, ministering to the ill and wandering the mountain communities of
Umbria in Italy. Later in 1209, Francis sought permission to found the Order by
travelling to Rome. Eventually he gained an audience with Pope Innocent III who
finally granted his permission to Francis. The Franciscan Order was born in
1210.
The Order grew quickly. Francis’ preaching focused on the
goodness and beauty of all that God made, and the need for redemption, as well
as the duty of all to praise God and to be stewards of all creation. He is
credited with calling various aspects of creation Brother and Sister, such as
Brother Son, Sister Moon, Brother Poverty, Sister birds, etc. Francis was the
first person to use a Nativity to tell the story of the Birth of Jesus. He used
live people and animals to illustrate the story. This was such a hit, that is
continues to this day.
My favorite legend involves Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio.
The wolf was terrifying the townsfolk, so Francis went to talk to it. When he
found the animal, he commanded the creature to come to him. He said, “Brother Wolf, you do much harm in these parts
and you have done great evil. All these people accuse you and curse you...But Brother
Wolf, I would like to make peace between you and the people." After this,
the wolf no longer harassed the people and flocks. Of course we often see
Francis portrayed with birds on his hands and shoulders because of his affinity
for the creatures of God. This image is from the chicagofranciscans.com website and noted as on the Grounds of our Lady of Victory Convent, Lemont, IL.
Francis was not looking to be changed, but he was open to
the call of God and as a result he changed the vision of God for the people of
his area and beyond by the preaching of peace and brotherhood for all creation.
It is worth considering how we can be open to God call and how a change in our outlook and living might make an impact on our family, friends, community and beyond.
