Saint Francis of Assisi

Feast Day: October 4

Click for a message from Saint Francis of Assisi

Perhaps the most beloved saint throughout the entire world is Francis of Assisi. Why do people love him? Because he shows them how to live a simple life of praise.

Francis was born to wealthy parents in Assisi, Italy, in 1181. Loving money and what it could buy, Francis had no cares or worries. Then, in 1202, he went to war. Enemy soldiers captured and imprisoned him for a year. Suddenly the Gospels made sense to him. In the Gospels, he discovered Jesus, a humble man who lived in poverty, served others, and cared for outcasts.

The Gospels called Francis to live as Christ had done. So he got rid of his fancy clothes; he left his warm home; he walked away from his father who wanted him to be a wealthy merchant.

Soon many people gathered around Francis. He asked them to live in poverty and to preach the good news of God’s love. This was the beginning of the Franciscan Order.

Francis died in 1226. During his short life—he was only 44 when he died—he reminded people that a poor carpenter from Nazareth had asked them to serve others. This poor carpenter owned only the clothes on his back. But he had a great gift—he knew that God loved everyone. Jesus shared this gift with others.

Like Jesus, Francis saw God’s beauty in everyone and everything. He passed this gift on to his followers—then and now. Praise to God for Francis of Assisi!

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition

Grade 2, chapters 4, 16 and 22

Grade 4, chapters 3 and 18

Grade 5, chapter 23

Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 5

Junior High, Morality, chapters 10 and 11

Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 5

Junior High, Church History, chapter 6

Connecting to Faith First®

Grade 2, chapters 3 and 4

Grade 4, chapter 18

Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapters 19, 20 and 22