Saint francis de assisi biography facts

St Francis is considered one of the greatest saints in the Christian tradition and an example of a life lived in imitation of Jesus Christ. All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. St Francis of Assisi is also known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the two patrons of Italy with Catherine of Siena.

Francis was born in Assisi, Italy to Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant in As a youngster, he was bright, popular and athletic, though he occasionally showed signs of his later love for charity and disdain for the world.

How did st francis of assisi die

However, in , aged 19, Francis joined a military expedition against Peruda. The campaign proved disastrous and, injured on the battlefield, Francis was taken prisoner for a year. During this period of imprisonment, a change within St Francis grew. He forsook the material pleasures and rewards of life and began to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ and the essential teachings of the Gospels.

It was during this period, that St Francis had a mystical vision in a dilapidated church. This vision gave Francis a clear mission in life and he embraced a life of poverty, chastity and devotion to Jesus Christ.

St francis of assisi story

He spent much of his time in prayer and meditation. Gradually, he began to attract other young men, attracted by his spiritual fervour and renunciation. Initially, Francis and his band of men were outside the traditional church hierarchy which caused some consternation among local bishops and powerful people. Because of the ongoing difficulties, Francis resolved to make a pilgrimage to the Vatican in Rome to try and gain an audience with the Pope.