Who was Saint Francis of Assisi?
Francis grew up in Assisi, in Italy, the son of a rich cloth merchant. He loved fine clothes, parties and songs, and he dreamed of becoming a knight. But when he went to war, he was captured and fell very sick, and he began to ask what God wanted from him.
One day, praying before a cross in the little ruined church of San Damiano, he heard Jesus ask him to rebuild his house. Francis gave away everything he had, even the clothes he wore, and began to live poor, to care for people with leprosy and to tell everyone about God’s love. Other young men joined him, and they became the Franciscan friars.
Francis called the sun his brother and the moon his sister, and he preached to the birds. An old story says he made peace with a fierce wolf in the town of Gubbio. And at Christmas in 1223, in the village of Greccio, he set up a manger with a real ox and donkey so people could see how poor and little Jesus was when he was born: the first Nativity scene.
When is Saint Francis of Assisi’s feast day?
Saint Francis of Assisi’s feast day is October 4. He died the evening before, October 3, 1226. Many parishes bless pets on or near his feast.
Clara tells the whole story at bedtime, in the Little Prayer Stories app.Get the app →
