Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy. He founded the Franciscan Order and assisted in founding the Order of St. Clare. He lived a wealthy life as a young man but had a spiritual awakening that led him to live in poverty and preach on the streets, gaining many followers. He is known for his love of nature and animals. He died in Assisi in 1226 and was later pronounced a saint. Assisi remains an important pilgrimage site dedicated to Saint Francis.

1. San Francesco d'Assisi
Saint Patron of Italy
Born in Assisi in 1182
He died in Assisi on the 3rd of
October 1226
San Francesco, a man of peace
O God, make me an instrument of your peace:
where is hatred, let me bring love,
where is injury, let me bring forgiveness,
where is discord, let me bring Union,
where is doubt, let me bring faith,
where is error, let me bring truth,
where is despair, let me bring hope,
where is sadness, let me bring joy,
where are shadows, let me bring light.
O Divine Master,
I'm not so much in seek to be consoled
as to console instead;
not be understood as to understand,
not to be loved as to love.
Since only by giving we receive back,
Only by forgiving we are forgiven,
Only through death we „ll find eternal life.

2. Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni
Francesco di Bernardone) was an Italian
Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the
Franciscan Order, assisted in founding the
woman‟s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third
Order of Saint Francis.
He was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in
Assisi, and he lived the high-spirited life
typical of a wealthy young man, even fighting as a soldier for Assisi.
While going off to war in 1204, Francis had a vision that directed him
back to Assisi, where he lost his taste for his worldly life.[4] On a pilgrimage
to Rome, Francis begged with the beggars at St. Peter's.
The experience moved him to live in poverty. Francis returned home,
began preaching on the streets, and soon amassed a following. His order
was endorsed by the Pope in 1210. He then founded the Order of Poor
Ladies, which was an order for old women, as well as the Third Order of
Brothers and Sisters of Penance.
In 1219, he went to Egypt where crusaders were besieging Damietta, hoping
to find martyrdom at the hands of the Muslims. Supposedly, Francis
achieved personal rapprochement with the Muslim sultan who declared he
would convert if possible. By this point, the Franciscan Order had grown to
such an extent that its primitive organizational structure was no longer
sufficient. He returned to Italy to organize the order. Once his
organization was endorsed by the Pope, he withdrew increasingly from
external affairs.
In 1223, Francis arranged for the first Christmas manger scene. In 1224,
he received the stigmata, making him the first person to bear the wounds
of Christ's Passion. He died in 1226 while singing Psalm 141.
On July 16, 1228, he was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX.
He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of
the two patrons of Italy (with Catherine of Siena), and it is customary for
Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his
feast day of 4 October.

3. The Canticle of the Creatures
If there is a poem or an essay that might be
considered the manifesto of thought and ideas,
is certainly the Canticle of brother Sun, also
known as the Canticle of the Creatures.
In it we find St.Francis‟s great love for God
and all His creatures: it is in them that Francis
saw God „s love .
Man is himself a creature , a brother of all
existing things .
The Canticle of the Creatures
Most high, all powerfull, all good Lord
All praise is yours, all glory, all honour
and all blessing.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong
and no human being is worthy
to pronounce your name.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through all that you have made,
and first my lord brother Sun,
who brings the day and light
you give us through him;
How beautiful is he,

4. how radiant in all his splendour:
of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through sister Moon and Stars;
in the heaven you have made them,
bright, and precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through brother Wind,
and air and stormy
and fair in all weather moods,
by which You cherish
all that you have made.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious
and pure.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through brother Fire,
through whom You light the night;
and he is beautiful and playful
and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our sister mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits
with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who grant pardon
for love of You,
and bear sickness and trial;
blessed are those who endure in peace,

5. by You, most High, they will be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our corporal sister Death,
from whom no mortal can escape:
woe to those who die in mortal sin;
blessed are they she finds doing
your will,
no second death can do them harm.
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give him thanks and serve him
with great humility.
The tomb of San Francis, also known as the
poor of Assisi, is a pilgrimage destination for
thousands of devotes every year.
The town of Assisi has risen as a symbol of
peace especially after having host two large
meetings with the representatives of the
major religions in the world, promoted by
JohanPaul II in 1986 and 2002.
Today, S. Francis of Assisi is one of the most
popular and revered Saint in the world.
Assisi "World Heritage of Humanity
It is a “Holy City” loved by God,
gate of the Paradise for the salvation of many,
called to return to the splendour of
Saint Francis‟ times, the most beloved

6. Saint of the world, who, before dying
blessed Assisi with this prayer:
Lord, I believe that this city was in ancient times shelter and
home of evil wicked men, infamous in all these regions. But for
your abundant mercy, in the time that pleased you, I see that
you have shown the overabundance of your goodness, so that
the city has become refuge and stay of those who know you and
give glory to your name and spread scent of holy life, direct
doctrine and good reputation among all the Christian people. I
pray you therefore, O Lord Jesus Christ, Father of mercy, not to
look at our ingratitude, but to remember only the abundance of
your goodness, that you have shown. This city may always be
land and home of those who know you and glorify your name,
blessed and glorious in the centuries of the centuries. “Amen.“
World Day of Prayer for Peace summoned at Assisi
by John Paul II on October 27th, 1986.