Philosophers and Religious Thinkers
St. Francis of Assisi (c.1181-1226)
Baptized as Giovanni di Pietro Bernardone, the name chosen by his mother to honor St. John the Baptist, his named was changed to Francis by his father. The wealth of his family afforded Francis an early life spent in revelry, and he dreamed of becoming a knight. At 20, he joined to fight a war between ihis hometown of Assisi and Perugia, and was taken prisoner. He spent a year in captivity, and after returnng home, became ill; but recovered and vowed to continue his military career.
On his way to enlist in a fight against Puglia, Francis encountered a vision that turned his life toward God. After several years of prayer, he took a vow of poverty, refurbished several ruined churches, and traveled throughout the region, preaching brotherly love and penitence. A small following led Francis to seek approval from the Pope, in 1209, for a new religious order, the Friars Minor, now known as the Franciscan Order. The Order quickly grew, as Francis traveled to other countries, and two more Orders were established. In 1223, to commemorate the Nativity, Francis known as the Patron Saint of Animals created the first live manger. Francis was venerated as a saint in 1228, two years after his death.
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Written by Janice Mancuso
