ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI ; FEAST DAY 4th OCTOBER
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 4th OCTOBER St Francis of Assisi, (1182-1226), is a much-beloved saint, renowned for his patronage and protection of animals – brothers and sisters- and, for this reason a blessing of the animals is frequently held by the Franciscans in the days before or following his Feast Day. We are all familiar with the legend of the vision St Francis had where God directed him to “repair my house which, as you can see is falling into ruin” and which Francis initially took literally, only later realizing that the calling was to rebuild the Church in its spiritual dimension. Francis turned his energies, previously employed in womanizing, spending money and partying, to a conversion of heart, which so overtook him that his friends chided him, asking him if he was thinking of marrying. He replied, “Yes, a bride fairer than any of you have ever seen”. His bride was “Lady Poverty” and, to the chagrin of his father, he established the Franciscans as a mendicant order (after be...