Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: October, 4

Francis Bernardone was born and died in Assisi. Born in 1181 at Assisi, Umbria, Italy, He was the son of a rich merchant, Pietro Bernardone, received a good education, and in the beginning followed the ways of the world.

At the age of twenty, he went to war against Perugia, but was captured and imprisoned. During his imprisonment he experienced a vision from Christ and changed his life completely. He left all his possessions and embraced complete poverty, taking the Gospel as his rule of life.

His father became extremely displeased at his action, and disinherited him. He wore ragged old clothes, begged for food and preached peace. He began to attract followers, and in 1209 with the papal blessing he founded the Friars Minor (Franciscans).

Then in 1212 with St. Clare of Assisi he founded the foundation of the Order of “Poor Ladies,” now known as the “Poor Clares.” In 1220 he founded a new order which in ten years numbered five thousand brothers. His followers were called Friars Minor because they were to consider themselves as the least among religious.

He also founded the “Third Order of Penance” (the Third Order) which included lay people. He was the first person (recorded) to receive the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) in 1224.

Out of humility Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life. He had a great love for God’s creatures and called them his brothers and sisters. His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic. He is also nicknamed God’s Fool and Il Poverello (The little poor one).

He died on October 4, 1226 at Portiuncula, Italy. He was canonized by Gregory IX less than two years later.

PRAYER: 

Saint Francis, you fell radically in love with God and with God’s people. You embraced poverty, prayer, sacrifice, and every form of suffering for the sake of Christ. You became a true knight in the army of the Kingdom.

Please pray for me, that I will be able to detach from everything in this life that keeps me from the love and service of God, so that I can imitate the life that you lived. Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.