Saint Francis of Assisi, born in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, Italy, is one of the most venerated saints of the Catholic Church and a key figure in Christianity for his way of life radically centred on poverty, simplicity and love for all creatures. His journey, from his privileged youth to his transformation into a humble servant of God, has left an indelible mark on religious and cultural history.
Youth and carefree life
François, whose real name was Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, was born into a wealthy family of cloth merchants. His father, Pietro di Bernardone, was a wealthy merchant, and his mother, Pica, was a noblewoman of French origin. It was in homage to France that his father changed his first name from Giovanni to Francesco. Francis grew up in an environment of material prosperity, and from an early age he was drawn to the worldly life. He liked to dress elegantly, attended parties and showed great generosity towards his friends. Francis's youth was therefore marked by frivolity and carefreeness, a far cry from the lifestyle he would later embrace.
The turning point: war and captivity
In 1202, when he was in his early twenties, Francis took part in a local war between Assisi and the neighbouring town of Perugia. Like many young men of his rank, he was eager to prove his bravery. However, the experience of war did not go as planned: Francis was captured and imprisoned for almost a year. This period of captivity was a crucial time in his life, as it plunged him into reflection. It was during this period that he began to experience an inner transformation, a questioning of his priorities and his way of life.
God's call and conversion
On his release in 1203, Francis returned to Assisi, but he was profoundly changed. Even though he tried to resume his old life, something had changed in him. In 1205, he was preparing for a new military expedition, but a dream shook him: he heard a voice asking him to serve "the Master and not the servant". This dream marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. Back in Assisi, Francis began to withdraw from worldly life and drew closer to prayer and contemplation.
One of the most significant events in his conversion was his encounter with a leper. One day, while out riding his horse, he came across a leper, a figure of social exclusion at the time. Despite his instinctive aversion, Francis dismounted and embraced the leper, seeing in him Christ. This act of charity marked a turning point in his spiritual life. He gradually gave up his wealth and began to live in radical poverty.
Giving up material possessions
One of the most emblematic moments in Francis' life came in 1206, when he publicly renounced his possessions. In a dispute with his father over money, Francis appeared before the Bishop of Assisi and, in a radical gesture, stripped completely of his clothes, returning them to his father. In this way, he declared that he had only one father left, the one in heaven. From that moment on, Francis begins to lead a life of extreme poverty, devoting himself to prayer, charity and preaching.
François lives like a beggar, preaching peace, reconciliation and love for all creatures. He spent time restoring small, dilapidated churches around Assisi, particularly the chapel of San Damiano, where, according to legend, he heard the voice of Christ asking him to "repair his ruined Church".
The founding of the Order of Friars Minor
In 1209, Francis attracted more and more disciples who wished to live according to his ideals of poverty and devotion. With these companions, he founded the Order of Friars Minor (known as the Franciscans), a religious order focused on poverty, humility and service to others. Unlike traditional monks, Franciscans did not live in closed monasteries, but travelled through towns and villages, preaching and helping the poor.
The Franciscan order grew rapidly, and in 1210 Francis obtained Pope Innocent III's approval for his rule of life. This was a crucial event, as it officially legitimised the order and paved the way for its expansion throughout Europe.
Fraternity with nature and creatures
One of the most fascinating aspects of Francis' spirituality was his deep love for nature and all living creatures. He saw nature as a reflection of God's beauty and goodness. His sermons to birds and animals have become legendary, illustrating his vision of universal brotherhood. Francis saw every living thing, every element of nature, as his brother or sister. This deep connection with creation is what inspired his famous Canticle of the Creatures, in which he praises God through the elements of nature: the sun, the moon, the wind, the water and the earth.
The stigmata and the end of his life
In 1224, while on Mount Verna on a spiritual retreat, Francis received the stigmata, the marks of Christ's crucifixion, becoming the first known saint to bear them. This mystical experience further strengthened his closeness to the suffering Christ. However, this period of his life was also marked by physical pain, as Francis suffered from several illnesses, notably of the eyes and stomach.
Weakened, he spent the last months of his life writing prayers, encouraging his brothers and meditating on death. In 1226, at the age of 44, Francis died at the Portiuncula, a small chapel near Assisi, surrounded by his brothers. He was canonised two years later by Pope Gregory IX, in 1228, and became one of the most beloved saints of the Catholic Church.
The legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi
The message of Francis of Assisi still resonates today. He has become a model of simplicity, respect for nature and service to the poor. His love for all creatures has made him the patron saint of environmentalists, and his commitment to peace and reconciliation still inspires millions of people around the world. The Franciscan order, with its many branches, continues to thrive, perpetuating Francis' legacy and his call to a life of poverty, prayer and fraternity.
Saint Francis of Assisi remains a major spiritual figure, whose life of renunciation and service has profoundly influenced Christianity and world culture.
