Francis of Assisi
St. Francis in Ecstasy by Carravagio c. 1595 Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who has provided the inspiration for our current Pope's name. St. Francis is also a patron of mine, and the name I chose at Confirmation. St. Francis of Assisi founded the men's Order of Friars Minor (OFM), the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the Third Order of Saint Francis for men and women not able to live the lives of itinerant preachers followed by the early members of the Order of Friars Minor or the monastic lives of the Poor Clares. He is the patron of animals, birds, conservationists and naturalists. He was born in 1281, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. As a young man Francis fought in the war between Perugia and Assisi. He was taken prisoner and became very ill. He returned home and was accused of cowardice. From a very early age he showed a real concern for the poor and sick. Soon after his return from the war, he heard a voice which seemed to come from the...