St Francis of Assisi We honour Francis as

St Francis of Assisi

We honour Francis as a saint who saw God in all creatures

He saw God in all things He called the sun ‘Brother’, the moon ‘Sister’

But …what do we know about him? Why do we call him a ‘saint’ – one who is living with God in heaven?

Did you know… Francis was baptised John after John the Baptist.

His father, Pietro, was angry. He had been away on business. He did not want his son to waste time on religion. He wanted him to be a merchant like him. He re-named him Francis after France which Pietro loved.

Francis grew up in a wealthy house. He had a lot of friends and was very popular. He loved to party and hang out with his mates drinking and eating. Later he described this time as a waste and that he ‘lived in sin’.

Francis wanted something more though than the parties. He wanted to be a knight and to have glory in battle. When Assisi went to war Francis joined its army. They were defeated and Francis was captured.

He spent a year in a damp dark prison. He was barely 20 years old. When he got home he still wanted to get glory in war. Soon he was away again to join the Crusades.

He got the best armour and set off to join knights to fight in the Holy Land.

He was only a day away from Assisi when he had a dream. God spoke to him and told him that he had to return.

He went back home. His father was angry at the waste of His friends thought he money. was a coward. Francis spent more time in prayer asking for God’s help.

Lord make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred let me sow love

Where there is injury Pardon

where there is doubt Faith

For it is in giving that we receive

In pardoning that we are pardoned

And in dying We are born into eternal life

Amen