Francis De Assisi Religious Beliefs

Known to be granted the second stigmata, Francis de Assisi was a well-known man that “captured the imagination of his contemporaries by presenting to them poverty, chastity, and obedience with purity and strength of a radical testimony (SCTJM).” His evangelical life was spent preaching to everyone about the love of God. With his background and teachings, Francis left the respectably wealthy society he lived in to one that renounced riches for simplicity and love for God. Born in Assisi in central Italy in 1182, Francis was the son of an affluent, middle-class silk merchant, Pietro di Bernardone. He was a gentle and charismatic boy, filled with joy. In his youth, Francis was influenced by the high moral ideals of medieval chivalry, as was

Francis stated to his followers that there were three openings in the Gospel for which they should start with, the first, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all you have, and give to the poor, and come, follow Me”, the second, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money,” and the third, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (44).” These actions proved to God that all hope was with him. Many believed that the way in which these Franciscans lived were the right way and admired them. This admiration could be seen through Brother Bernard’s journey to Bologna, when a judged appeared before him believing him a saint and asked him why he was there. Brother Bernard produced a book that stated the rules by which Francis followed and the judge was marveled by the utter perfection it possessed. “’This certainly is the highest form of religious life I have ever heard of…’ (53).” The people around the towns soon started to believe in Francis’ way of religious life and began to follow his order. One of his miracles was the one in which he converted a prostitute by lying on a fire bed without getting hurt. “On seeing such a miracle that woman was terrified and felt remorse in her heart (95).” Following the same story as this woman, many repented their sins and converted to the faith of Christ. If his miracles were not the only reason to covert people, the way Francis devoted everything to God moved people to convert. In the beginning, when Brother Bernard first saw Francis crying and devoting himself to God, it inspired him to change his life (43). Francis’ devotion to God and the Holy Spirit proved to be the motivation that sent Brother Bernard to sacrifice his possessions and riches. This also happened when