Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis was a man of eloquence, with a cheerful and kindly countenance. He bore neither cowardice nor insolence. His speech was gentle yet passionate and precise; his voice strong, sweet, clear and resonant. He wore simple, rough garments, slept little and gave generously to all. Humbly mild, he adapted himself to others’ behaviour, showing gentleness to all; among the holy, even more so; among sinners, he was one of them.
— Celano, First Life, 83

The son of a wealthy merchant, Francis grew dissatisfied with worldly life and founded the Franciscan Order based on a simple rule inspired by the Gospels. Shortly before he died in 1226, he received the stigmata on his hands and side, a divine gift. His famous motto was: “My God and my all.”

Key Dates in St Francis’s Life

1182: St. Francis is born in Assisi.

1193: St. Clare is born in Assisi.

1202 (November): Perugia and Assisi go to war; Francis is imprisoned in Perugia for one year.

1204: Francis suffers a long illness.

1204 or early 1205: Francis receives a vision and begins his conversion in Spoleto.

1205 (Autumn): The San Damiano crucifix speaks to Francis: “Go and repair my house, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.”

1206 (Early): Francis renounces his father after a court dispute over money.

1206: Francis tends to lepers in Gubbio.

1206 (Summer/Autumn): Returns to Assisi and begins repairing San Damiano.

1208 (April 16): Bernard of Quintavalle, Peter Catanii and Giles join Francis.

1208 (Summer): Three more brothers join.

1209 (Spring): Eleven companions accompany Francis to Rome; Pope Innocent III approves his Rule. The brothers settle at Rivotorto near Assisi.

1209 or 1210: The brothers move to the Portiuncula (St Mary of the Angels). Possible beginnings of the Third Order (Secular Franciscans).

1225 (July): Encouraged by Elias and Cardinal Hugolino (future Pope Gregory IX), Francis goes to Fonte Colombo for eye cauterisation.

1226 (August – Early September): Francis’s health declines; he is taken to the bishop’s palace in Assisi.

1226 (September): Realising his imminent death, Francis insists on being carried to the Portiuncula and blesses Assisi.

1226 (October 3): St Francis dies at Portiuncula.

1228 (July 16): Pope Gregory IX canonises St Francis.

1253 (August 11): St Clare dies at San Damiano.

1255 (August 12): Pope Alexander IV canonises St Clare.

The Peace Prayer of St Francis

The Peace Prayer first appeared around 1915 and beautifully reflects the spirit of St. Francis’s simplicity and devotion:

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;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Despite its widespread attribution, scholars such as Father Kajetan Esser, OFM, and Father Schulz have confirmed that the prayer is not authored by St Francis himself. It first appeared on a holy card during the First World War and was later popularised as the Peace Prayer of St Francis.

For a detailed study, see Friar J. Poulenc, OFM, L'inspiration moderne de la priere “Seigneur faites de moi un instrument de votre paix”, Archivum Franciscanum Historicum, vol. 68 (1975), pp. 450–453.