True History - Veritas Card #16 (Orange Card) - St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi - 1182-1224

    You may have heard some quotes from St. Francis of Assisi already. St. Francis was born into a wealthy family in 1182. He lived in a place called Assisi in Italy. When he was a youth, he lived a wild life, but, he became very ill, and God used that in his life in order to bring about his conversion.
   St. Francis wanted to live in poverty. He never had any possessions and he kept no extra shoes or clothing. His parents would try to give him money, but he would just give it all away. Finally, he was cut off from the family, and left to live his life like a hermit.
    He did very well at practicing poverty, but soon he realized that he needed to preach. He wanted to follow Jesus' example. He returned to Assisi, and he had many people following him.
   St. Francis believed in absolute poverty, and he preached a simple message of identifying with Christ. He, and those who were following him, believed that they should work without wages. Anything they had, but didn't need, they gave away to poor people.
   St. Francis also loved nature, and it is thought of him that he would even preach to the animals! His followers were called, 'Little Brothers' and they lived by asking for alms. Their community was called, 'The Franciscan Order' and was recognized by the Pope in 1223.
   He also made his way to Egypt, where he continued to preach. After his death, he had followers all the way from China! His Order spread throughout the world.


                                        Above all the grace and the gifts that 
                            Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. 
                                                       Francis of Assisi