Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi (born in Assisi, Italy, 1181; died there on October 3, 1226) founded the Franciscan Order or "Friars Minor". He is the patron saint of animals, merchants, Catholic action and the environment.

The last years

Francis had to suffer from the dissensions just alluded to and the transformation which they produced in the originally simple constitution of the brotherhood, making it a regular order under strict supervision from Rome.

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Especially after Cardinal Ugolino had been assigned as protector of the order by Honorius III - it is said, at Francis' own request - he saw himself forced further and further away from his original plan. Even the independent direction of his brotherhood was, it seems, finally withdrawn from him; at least after about 1223 it was practically in the hands of Brother Elias of Crotona, an ambitious politician who seconded the attempts of the cardinal-protector to transform the character of the order.

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However, in the external successes of the brothers, as they were reported at the yearly general chapters, there was much to encourage Francis. Caesarius of Speyer, the first German provincial, a zealous advocate of the founder's strict principle of poverty, began in 1221 from Augsburg, with twenty-five companions, to win for the order some lands watered by the Rhine and the Danube; and a few years later the Franciscan propaganda, starting from Cambridge, embraced the principal towns of England.

Related Topics:
Caesarius of Speyer - 1221 - Augsburg - Rhine - Danube - Propaganda - Cambridge - England

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But none of these cheering reports could wholly drive away from the mind of Francis the gloom which covered his last years.

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He spent much of his time in solitude, praying or singing praise to God for his wonderful works. The canticle known as Laudes creaturarum, with its childlike invocations to Brother Sun, Sister Moon with the stars, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire, and finally Sister Death, to raise their voices to the glory of God (influenced by The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children), dates from this period of his life.

Related Topics:
Canticle - Laudes creaturarum - The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children

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The hermit stage which opened the career of many monastic founders was reserved for the end of his, who had once been so restless in his activity.

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He spent the short remainder of his life partly on Monte Alverno on the upper Arno, where he fasted forty days and longed for union with God, to be demonstrated by the impression on his body of the wounds of Christ (see Stigmata); partly at Rieti under medical treatment; and partly in his beloved Portiuncula at Assisi waiting for his deliverance from the flesh. It is believed by some historians that his last days drew huge crowds of people wanting to bask in his presence.

Related Topics:
Alverno - Arno - Stigmata - Rieti

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He died October 3, 1226, at Assisi, and was canonized two years later by Pope Gregory IX, the former cardinal-protector of the order. His feast day is October 4.

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Many biographies of Francis have been written over the centuries. Perhaps the most notable is that by G. K. Chesterton.

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