St. Francis of Assisi

“Desire above all things to have the Spirit of the Lord and its holy activity, and pray always with a pure heart,”
-St. Francis of Assisi (The Later Rule, Chapter X:8)

St. Francis (1182–1226) was a saint for all times, a saint for all people.

He preached peace in an era when life without war was unthinkable. He embraced the poor while others treated them with scorn. And he allied himself with nature centuries before humanity understood its connection to every living thing.

In his brief life of 44 years, Francis had a seismic impact on the Church – an impact we feel today, 800 years after his death. In life he was Il Poverello, “The Little Poor Man”. In death he became one of the most powerful influences for good that the world has ever seen.

Francis is the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscan brotherhood to which we belong. Our rule, as was his, is “To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”

His Feast day is October 4 and he is the patron saint of animals, merchants, ecology and Italy.

Click the photos below for the reflection and novena prayers for each day.