Historical Saint Francis of Assisi

[tryptakid]

@Foreigner inquired about my connection with Saint Francis of Assisi and suggested we discuss over her.

Who was St. Francis? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (c. 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Francis of Assisi,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-8"><span>[</span>b<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-9"><span>[</span>c<span>]</span></a> was an Italian<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-10"><span>[</span>d<span>]</span></a> mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty, he became a beggar<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-11"><span>[</span>7<span>]</span></a> and an itinerant preacher.

One of the most venerated figures in Christianity,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDelio2013-12"><span>[</span>8<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBradyCunningham2020-5"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a> Francis was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 16 July 1228. He is commonly portrayed wearing a brown habit with a rope tied around his waist, featuring three knots symbolizing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

In 1219, Francis went to Egypt in an attempt to convert the sultan Al-Kamil and put an end to the conflict of the Fifth Crusade.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-FOOTNOTETolan2009-13"><span>[</span>9<span>]</span></a> In 1223, he arranged for the first live nativity scene as part of the annual Christmas celebration in Greccio.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-Nativity-14"><span>[</span>e<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-15"><span>[</span>10<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-cefa-16"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a> According to Christian tradition, Francis received the stigmata during the apparition of a Seraphic angel in a religious ecstasy in 1224.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-ODCC_Francis-17"><span>[</span>12<span>]</span></a>

Francis is associated with patronage of animals and the environment. It became customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of 4 October, which became World Animal Day. Francis was noted for his devotion to the Eucharist.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-18"><span>[</span>13<span>]</span></a> Along with Catherine of Siena, Francis was designated patron saint of Italy. He is also the namesake of the city of San Francisco. 17 September is the feast of Francis' stigmatization.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#cite_note-19"><span>[</span>14<span>]</span></a>

I was a heroin addict in the mid 00s and got clean in 2008. I was homeless for the last few months of my addiction and relied upon state funded services to provide treatment and shelter when I was trying to get clean. I found that through acts of service I was able to find a path out of addiction and suffering and towards a life of purpose in service to others. I have found St. Francis to be a true role model for me in my journey from addcition and suffering into recovery. I also worked for many years as part of Boston Health Care for the Homeless program as a social worker at the St. Francis house clinic - a day shelter for homeless adults in the Boston area. His commitment to spending time with those who suffer greatest resonates deeply with me and that wisdom i something I continue to try to carry and practice as part of who I am as a human.

I believe his archetype is one that is greatly needed to be considered during this era of greed and suffering. Spending time with those who are suffering and offering to be of service to them is something that can help to ease the pain of the many whose lives and suffering have an ongoing impact on our society. If we can give charitably in our time and resources, we can heal has a society and as individuals - and through that find recovery.

 

[kris66]

I’ve always felt drawn to St Francis also ever since I saw a movie about him in High School. Our whole class went to the theater to see it. Now I can’t remember what class!