St Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis was born in the year 1182 in the town of Assisi, Italy.
His father, Bernadne, was a very rich merchant, which meant Francis was
brought up in luxury and wealth.
Francis was very good-looking, warm-hearted and kind. He had many
friends and spent most of his money on extravagant pleasures.
One day Francis was joking and laughing with his friends when a
beggar came along crying for money. Francis emptied his pockets to the man and
gave all he had. His friends mocked him for his kind
act.
After that Francis gave all his money away and his father started
to rebuke him and said that he was wasting his
money.
Francis than became ill and was in bed for months with a serious
disease. But God saw this and brought him back to health. From that day on,
Francis changed his ways and became a man of God. Francis was going to work hard
for the service of humanity.
When Francis informed his parents of his determination to help
the poor, they were disappointed. They became angry with Francis. His father was
very annoyed and said, “Is this the gratitude you show me? I laboured hard and
amassed wealth. You are lavishly wasting it on these miserable
wretches”
Francis’ friends mocked and teased him. His father turned him out
of the house and Francis became a
beggar.
Francis found shelter in a cave, ate simple food and wore a
coarse dress but never gave up.
He spent his time in prayer and meditation for two years. Francis
was humble and loved all God’s creatures. He treated all living things as his
brothers and sisters.
Francis went from village to village, preaching the love of God.
Bernard, a rich man, joined Francis. After that another eleven men followed. They
distributed all their wealth to the poor. Francis and his followers went all
over Italy preaching, teaching, healing and
blessing.
St Francis founded the Order of Mendicant Friars or
Franciscans.
St Francis died in 1226 and is buried at Basilica of Saint
Francis of Assisi, Assisi, Italy.
His father, Bernadne, was a very rich merchant, which meant Francis was
brought up in luxury and wealth.
Francis was very good-looking, warm-hearted and kind. He had many
friends and spent most of his money on extravagant pleasures.
One day Francis was joking and laughing with his friends when a
beggar came along crying for money. Francis emptied his pockets to the man and
gave all he had. His friends mocked him for his kind
act.
After that Francis gave all his money away and his father started
to rebuke him and said that he was wasting his
money.
Francis than became ill and was in bed for months with a serious
disease. But God saw this and brought him back to health. From that day on,
Francis changed his ways and became a man of God. Francis was going to work hard
for the service of humanity.
When Francis informed his parents of his determination to help
the poor, they were disappointed. They became angry with Francis. His father was
very annoyed and said, “Is this the gratitude you show me? I laboured hard and
amassed wealth. You are lavishly wasting it on these miserable
wretches”
Francis’ friends mocked and teased him. His father turned him out
of the house and Francis became a
beggar.
Francis found shelter in a cave, ate simple food and wore a
coarse dress but never gave up.
He spent his time in prayer and meditation for two years. Francis
was humble and loved all God’s creatures. He treated all living things as his
brothers and sisters.
Francis went from village to village, preaching the love of God.
Bernard, a rich man, joined Francis. After that another eleven men followed. They
distributed all their wealth to the poor. Francis and his followers went all
over Italy preaching, teaching, healing and
blessing.
St Francis founded the Order of Mendicant Friars or
Franciscans.
St Francis died in 1226 and is buried at Basilica of Saint
Francis of Assisi, Assisi, Italy.