Francis of Assisi, St, baptized Giovanni originally Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone c.1181-1226
Italian founder of the Franciscan Order

Born in Assisi, the son of a wealthy merchant, he was highly sociable and fond of good living. In c.1205, however, he joined a military expedition, then halted by a dream, returned to live as a hermit and devoted himself to the care of the poor and the sick. By 1210 he had a brotherhood of 11 for which he drew up a rule repudiating all property, which was originally approved by Pope Innocent III. In 1212 he also founded the 'Poor Clares', a Franciscan order for women. At the first General Assembly in 1219, 5,000 members were present, and 500 more were claimants for admission. Francis went to Egypt (1223) and preached in the presence of the sultan, who promised better treatment for his Christian prisoners, and for the Franciscan order gave the privilege they have since enjoyed as guardians of the Holy Sepulchre. On his return to Italy he is said to have received, while praying, the stigmata of the wounds of Jesus Christ (1224). His works consist of letters, sermons, ascetic treatises, proverbs and hymns, including the well-known Canticle of the Sun. He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228, and in 1980 was designated patron saint of ecology. His feast day is 4 October.

Bibliography: Thomas of Celano, First and Second Life of St Francis with Selections from Treatises on the Miracles of Blessed Francis (1963)