1. Saint Francis of Assisi

2. Francis was born in Assisi in Italy, in 1182.

3. He was the son of a rich merchant and he grew up to love pleasure more than anything else. He became a knight, and set off seeking adventure, until he became ill. Then he had a dream, telling him to go back to Assisi. There, he began to pray, and think about his life. He noticed the suffering of the poor, and when he met a leper, he gave him all he had. He felt that God had work for him to do….but what was it?

4. Francis prayed before an ancient crucifix in the church of San Damiano. He heard the Lord say, “Francis, repair my house.”

5. So Francis hurried back to his father’s house and took bales of cloth to sell for the church. His father was furious and he was beaten and locked up. His mother helped him escape and he hurried off to re-build the church, begging for stones along the way. He built a little hut to live in by the church of St.Mary of the Angels and at Mass one day he heard the Gospel tell him to give everything to the poor – so he did. He dressed himself in a poor brown tunic. Franciscans wear this habit today.

6. Franciscans around the world today

7. Maximilian Kolbe and Padre Pio are Franciscan saints.

8. Other men came to join Francis. They needed directions – a rule to live by… …so Francis opened his Book of the Gospels three times, to see what to do. This is what he read…

9. “You must take my cross and follow in my path.” • “Sell all you have and give it to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then follow me.” • “Take nothing with you for the journey – no stick, no food, no money, not even an extra shirt!” These will be our rules, said Francis.

10. Francis and his followers did exactly what Jesus said in the Gospel. They travelled about looking like beggars , in sandals or even barefoot. They lived in little huts or along the wayside, and at first they were often mocked and jeered at… but they were joyful and kind and they taught and preached and did all they could to help the poor. They became loved and respected by everyone and thousands and thousands of friars came to join Francis . A young woman named Clare asked Francis to help her set up a community of women who wanted to follow Jesus too.

11. Francis loved all of God’s creation… he was gentle and loving to animals and the birds of the air. He called them his brothers and sisters, too.

12. Francis tamed the wolf at Gubbio And even the wild birds listened to his gentle words

13. Francis brought the the Christmas story to life by creating the first Christmas Crib, at Greccio, more than 700 years ago.

14. Franciscan friars from all round the world at their Christmas crib in Rome.

15. Francis cared for everyone, except himself, and he became tired and ill. He thought of Christ’s sufferings on the cross , instead of his own illness… and one day, while praying before the crucifix, he received the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ.

16. Francis saw how beautiful the world can be, when we love and take care of it and each other. He is the Patron Saint of Ecologists. He wrote wonderful poetry, prayers and songs which millions of people love today.

17. Almost at the end of his life, Francis went blind. It was then that he wrote his beautiful prayer, the Canticle of the Sun. Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

18. Francis died in 1226, in a tiny hut, close by the little chapel of St.Mary of the Angels. He became a saint just 2 years later, and a great church was built over the chapel. Now millions of pilgrims visit Assisi every year.

19. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, and where there’s doubt, true faith in you. Make me a channel of your peace, Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope, Where there is darkness, only light, and where there’s sadness, ever joy. O Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, to be loved, as to love, with all my soul. Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving to all men, that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

20. Saint Francis of Assisi You learned to live like Our Lord. Millions of people have learned from you. Help us to grow up like you – strong and gentle, faithful and true.