St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi is a saint who inspires many. He was born in 1182, in Assisi, Italy. He had six other siblings, plus his mother and father, Peter and Pica. He is an inspiration to people everywhere, all over the world, showing what it was like to follow God’s path and to act in his image and likeness.

In 1182, Peter di Bernardone returned to his wife, Pica de Bourlemont, discovering that she had given birth to a son, Francis, on November 26 while he was away on a business trip. He was furious with his wife, not because of the fact that she had become pregnant, but because the boy had been baptized in the name of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, after John the Baptist. Bernardone did not want his son to be a child of God, instead he wanted a man who was a hard worker, and who would show his love for France, hence the boy’s name, Francesco, meaning Frenchman.

St. Francis of Assisi lived a relaxing and easy childhood, which was a benefit of his father’s wealth and occupation. Francis thrived in his early years, with everybody liking him and his personality. He was seen as a charming and happy person, a natural born leader to people, and no one bothered to blame him if he were acting up, resulting in Francis getting away with things. He became a troubled teen, rebelling and spending time with crowds of rowdy people. Francis “lived in sin”, as he would say, acting recklessly and carefree.

Francis had fulfilled his father’s dreams of becoming a hard worker and being infatuated with France, but Francis wanted more. He wanted to become a knight. When Francis had battled over in Perugia, he was taken captive because of his wealth, and held prisoner. There in the dungeon, Francis finally had all he wanted, but not u...

... middle of paper ...

...d asked if it were at all possible to feel the same love Jesus felt for us as he was dying on the cross. Francis felt pain and blood coming from wounds on his hands and feet, as if he were nailed on the cross. Francis died at the age of forty-five on October 4th, 1226. He died because of being ill, and due to the fact that he had lived in poverty for years. He was canonized on the 16th of July 1228, between two years of his death. In 1939, he was proclaimed patron saint of Italy. In 1980, he was proclaimed the patron saint of animals and of the environment.

St. Francis of Assisi is a man that many look up to for guidance, help, and a person to live like. He lived the life of Jesus, and became a child of God, even when he was in his darkest moments, he looked for God to help him through it and ended up being one of the world’s most inspirational men in history.