San Francesco D'Assisi, baptized Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardonne, later
renamed Francesco, was born in 1181, in Assisi, Duchy of Spoleto. He died on
October 3, 1226 and was buried on October 4. He was canonized on July 15, 1228
and his day is celebrated on October 4. He is known as the protector of the
animals because of his love to nature and devotion to
animals.
Saint Francis was the founder of the Franciscan orders of men and women
and leader of the church reform movements of the early 13th
century.
In
1202, Francis took part in a war between Assisi and Perugia. He was captured and
spent almost a year in prison. After his release, he embraced a life of
poverty.
Little by little a small group began to form around Francis and he wrote
in a few words a form of life and rule for himself and his
brothers.
The early Franciscan rule of life, which has not survived, set as the aim
of the new life, "To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk
in his footsteps."
Francis considered all nature as the mirror of God and as so many steps
to God. He called all creatures his "brothers" and
"sisters".
In
1212 Francis began a second order for women that became known as the Poor
Clares. He gave a religious habit similar to his own to a lady of Assisi, named
Clara, later known as St. Clare of Assisi, and then lodged her and a few
companions in the church of S. Damiano, where women of Assisi joined her. For
those who could not leave their families and homes he eventually formed the
Third Order of Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a lay fraternity that, without
withdrawing from the world or taking religious vows, would carry out the
principles of Franciscan life.
