Saint Francis of Assisi

Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread. ~St. Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city in 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ’s poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired with a high esteem and burning love of poverty and humiliation. The thought of the Man of Sorrows, who had not where to lay His head, filled him with holy envy of the poor, and constrained him to renounce the wealth and worldly station which he abhorred. The scorn and hard usage which he met with from his father and townsmen when he appeared among them in the garb of poverty were delightful to him. “
Now,” he exclaimed, “I can say truly, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.’” But divine love burned in him too mightily not to kindle like desires in other hearts. Many joined themselves to him, and were constituted by Pope Innocent III into a religious Order, which spread rapidly throughout Christendom. Saint Francis, after visiting the East in the vain quest of martyrdom, spent his life like his Divine Master – now in preaching to the multitudes, now amid desert solitudes in fasting and contemplation. During one of these retreats he received on his hands, feet, and side the print of the five bleeding wounds of Jesus. With the cry, “Welcome, sister Death,” he passed to the glory of his God October 4th, 1226.

Reflection – “My God and my all,” Saint Francis’s constant prayer, explains both his poverty and his wealth.

~ Pictorial Lives of the Saints

The Crucifix of San Damiano

A More Detailed Explanation

 

RESOURCES:

Children’s Activities

• St. Francis Coloring Page – Catholic Playground
• St. Francis Coloring Page – Paper Dali
• St. Francis Printable Pack $3 –  Real Life at Home
• St. Francis of Assisi Craft Shrine – Catholic Inspired

Liturgical

• Latin Mass Propers Online – MaternalHeart.Org: Oct. 4 – St Francis of Assisi, Confessor: Missa ‘Mihi Autem’
• The Chant of Le Barroux – Office for 2016-10-04

Reflections & Audio

• St. Francis of Assisi and Gaining Plenary Indulgences – Regina Prophetarum
• Pictorial Lives of the Saints – Saint Francis
• Saint Francis, by G K Chesterton
• God’s Troubadour – The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi, by Sophie Jewett
• Goffine’s Devout Instructions – Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
• Explanation of the Crucifix of San Damiano
• Rule of Saint Francis

Audio Books

• Saint Francis of Assisi: A Biography by Johannes Jorgensen
• Flowers from the Garden of Saint Francis for Every Day of the Year
• Stations of the Cross according to the method of Saint Francis of Assisi

Online Books

• The Story of Saints Francis of Assisi for Children, by Mother Mary Eleanore
• Writings of Saint Francis of Assisi

Videos

• Francis of Assisi YouTube PlayList

 

O God, Who by the merits of blessed Francis dost increase Thy Church by a new progeny, grant us by imitating him to despise earthly things, and ever to rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.