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St.
Francis of Assisi lived as a great saint, father to many
friars, and herald of perfect joy and the Gospel of Jesus
Christ!
As he grew
up in the 12th century, enjoying a life of
comfort, popularity, and the esteem of being a soldier,
Francis Bernardone did not know what great things God had in
store for him.
Cooperating with the grace of the Lord, Francis renounced
his life of comfort and his family and embraced a way of
life modeled on that of Jesus. He took very literally the
words of Jesus in the Gospels:
“If you
wish to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow Me.”
(Mt. 19:21);
“Take
nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack,
nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic”
(Lk. 9:3).
“If anyone
wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross and follow Me”
(Lk 9:23).
A great
love for the Incarnation of
Jesus and His Passion burned deeply within the heart of St.
Francis. Soon, many began to desire to follow in his way
and the Franciscan family was born. It is within this
Franciscan tradition that we live, supporting the Church and
following the Gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Born in
1182 in Assisi, Italy
1210 - Beginning of the Franciscan order
Died in 1226 in the Portiuncula (where St. Francis and his
friars first lived)
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