Honoring St. Francis
Each year on October 4, millions around the world pause to remember and celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, the humble friar whose life of radical simplicity, compassion, and deep love for creation continues to inspire believers and seekers alike.
Born in medieval Italy, Francis’s life and legacy transcend his era, offering timeless wisdom on how to live with purpose, humility, and joy.
This article examines the remarkable life of St. Francis, his miracles, the founding of the Franciscan order, and why his example remains profoundly relevant in our modern world.
Why St. Francis Still Matters Today
At first glance, a man who lived in 13th-century Italy might seem far removed from today’s challenges. Yet St. Francis’s message of peace, environmental stewardship, and solidarity with the poor feels more urgent now than ever.
A Saint for the Planet and the Poor
In an age facing climate change, ecological destruction, and growing economic inequality, Francis’s reverence for nature and radical embrace of poverty speak volumes. His “Canticle of the Creatures” praised Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and even Sister Death, long before modern ecological consciousness emerged.
In 2015, Pope Francis, the first pope to take his name, published Laudato Si’, an encyclical on environmental care, explicitly drawing from the saint’s teachings. St. Francis’ ability to see all of creation as interconnected mirrors today’s most pressing global concerns.
A Counter-Cultural Witness
Francis also challenges our cultural obsession with wealth, status, and consumerism. He reminds us that true joy comes not from possessions but from relationships – with God, with others, and with the world around us.
His life calls us to reimagine what it means to live a meaningful life.
The Young Life of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone
St. Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, a small town in central Italy. His birth name was Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, but he would become known as “Francesco,” or “the Frenchman,” due to his father’s love of French culture.
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A Life of Privilege
Francis grew up in comfort. His father was a wealthy cloth merchant, and the young Francesco enjoyed fine clothes, lively parties, and the status of a rising merchant class. By all accounts, he was charming, generous, and well-liked.
But something deeper stirred in him.
From Knight to Pilgrim
In his early 20s, Francis joined a military expedition, eager for glory. Captured and imprisoned for a year, he emerged changed. He began to question the direction of his life.
In a dramatic encounter, he heard Christ speak to him from the crucifix in the crumbling church of San Damiano: “Francis, rebuild my church.”
Taking this command literally at first, he began repairing ruined chapels with his own hands. But over time, Francis would come to understand that Christ was calling him to renew the entire Church, not just the stone buildings, but also the hearts and lives.
The Miracles of St. Francis
While Francis is best known for his humility and love of creation, his life was also marked by the miraculous.
Preaching to the Birds
One of the most beloved stories tells of Francis preaching a sermon to a flock of birds. He urged them to praise God for their freedom, their wings, and their place in creation. Legend says the birds listened quietly and then flew off in joyful song.
This moment wasn’t just poetic; it symbolized Francis’ profound belief that all creation could respond to divine love.
Taming the Wolf of Gubbio
In the town of Gubbio, a fierce wolf was terrorizing villagers. Instead of fleeing, Francis went out to meet the beast. According to tradition, he made the sign of the cross and spoke calmly. The wolf bowed its head. Francis promised the townspeople would feed the wolf if it stopped harming them. They agreed, and peace reigned.
This tale illustrates Francis’ commitment to nonviolence, even in the face of fear.
The Stigmata
In 1224, two years before his death, Francis received the stigmata – the wounds of Christ – on his hands, feet, and side. He bore these marks in secret, a mystical sign of his profound union with the suffering Christ.
He is believed to be the first person in Christian history to have received the stigmata.
A Radical Brotherhood: The Franciscan Order
As Francis’ spiritual journey deepened, others began to follow him. What started as a personal call soon grew into a movement.
The Birth of the Friars Minor
In 1209, Francis and a small group of companions sought approval from Pope Innocent III to live a life according to the Gospel, characterized by poverty, celibacy, and itinerancy.
The pope hesitated, but after a dream in which he saw Francis holding up the crumbling Church, he gave his blessing.
Thus, the Order of Friars Minor, better known as the Franciscans, was born.
Living the Gospel Literally
Franciscans took vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. But their poverty was extreme: no property, no money, no comforts. They begged for food, preached in the streets, and lived among the poor.
Francis insisted they “own nothing, not even a begging bowl.” This was a radical departure from the wealth and privilege often associated with religious orders of the time.
Inclusivity and Joy
Francis also founded a second order – the Poor Clares, led by St. Clare of Assisi – for women called to the same life of poverty and prayer. He even created a third order for laypeople, showing that the Franciscan spirit could be lived by anyone, anywhere.
The Lasting Legacy of St. Francis
St. Francis died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, lying on the bare ground, singing praises to God with his final breath. Two years later, he was canonized a saint.
His influence, however, was only beginning.
Global Reach of the Franciscans
Today, Franciscans serve in over 100 countries, caring for the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the environment. Their commitment to peacemaking and social justice continues to shape communities and policies worldwide.
Francis’ writings and prayers, especially the Canticle of the Creatures and the Prayer of St. Francis (“Make me an instrument of your peace”), are treasured across Christian denominations and even among nonreligious people.
St. Francis Day: A Global Celebration
Each year, on October 4, churches and communities worldwide celebrate St. Francis Day. In many places, it includes the Blessing of the Animals, a tradition that honors Francis’ love for all creatures, great and small.
Cats, dogs, horses, birds, and even reptiles are brought to altars and courtyards to receive blessings, surrounded by prayers of thanksgiving for God’s creation.
This joyful, inclusive celebration reflects Francis’ belief that every part of creation is sacred and worthy of love.
What St. Francis Teaches Us Today
The life of St. Francis isn’t a relic of the past. It is a living challenge to our modern values and a reminder of the Gospel’s radical beauty.
Simplicity Over Success
In a culture driven by accumulation and speed, Francis invites us to slow down, to simplify, and to find joy in less. His poverty wasn’t a deprivation; it was a freedom. Freedom to love, to serve, and to be fully present.
Peacemaking and Reconciliation
Francis once crossed enemy lines during the Crusades to meet with the Muslim Sultan al-Kamil. Their respectful dialogue, amid war, stands as a powerful witness to interfaith understanding and courageous peacebuilding.
He shows us that peace isn’t passive, it’s intentional and bold.
Caring for Our Common Home
Perhaps no other saint has such a powerful ecological message. In an era of environmental crisis, Francis reminds us that the Earth is not a resource to be exploited, but a gift to be cherished.
His example continues to inspire environmental activists, theologians, and policymakers.
Final Reflections: A Saint for All Seasons
St. Francis of Assisi was not perfect, nor was he trying to be. He was simply and fiercely in love with God, with creation, and with the poor. His life shines as a beacon of hope, humility, and joyful discipleship.
Whether you are a person of faith, someone seeking meaning, or simply someone who loves animals and nature, there is something in Francis’ story that can speak to you.
As St. Francis Day approaches on October 4, may we take a moment to reflect on his life, not just to honor a great saint, but to ask how we, too, can live more simply, more lovingly, and more in tune with the world around us.
Let me leave you with this quote from St. Francis:
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
— St. Francis of Assisi
I hope your enjoyed this article on Honoring St. Francis.
By Michael O’Halloran
Michael O’Halloran founded Greeting Card Poet in 2014 and has worked as its publisher and editor ever since. He has co-authored four books on kids’ trivia and four on coaching. Previously, Michael was the president of Magnetic Poetry. He has invented and brought to market over 75 new gift and toy products, most of which involve wordplay. Mike is married and a father of four daughters.
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