Changes

'''Saint Francis of Assisi''' September 26, 1181-October 3, 1226 was a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[friar]] and the founder of the [[Franciscan|Order of Friars Minor]], more commonly known as the Franciscans.   

'''Saint Francis of Assisi''' September 26, 1181-October 3, 1226 was a [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[friar]] and the founder of the [[Franciscan|Order of Friars Minor]], more commonly known as the Franciscans.   

He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4. [http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/111206/depobs.html] Blessing All Creatures, Great and Small

He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4. [https://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/111206/depobs.html] Blessing All Creatures, Great and Small

==Childhood and early adulthood==

==Childhood and early adulthood==

In 1217 the growing congregation of friars was divided in provinces and groups were sent to France, [[Germany]], [[Hungary]], Spain  and to the East.

In 1217 the growing congregation of friars was divided in provinces and groups were sent to France, [[Germany]], [[Hungary]], Spain  and to the East.

In 1219 Francis left, together with a few companions, on a pilgrimage of non-violence to [[Egypt]]. Crossing the lines between the sultan and the [[Crusader]]s in [[Damietta]], he was received by the sultan [[Al-Kamil|Melek-el-Kamel]].[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/sbf/escurs/wwc/f.html] Francis of Assisi in the Holy land] Francis challenged the Muslim scholars to a test of true religion by fire; but they retreated. When Francis proposed to enter the fire first and, if he left the fire unharmed, the sultan would have to recognize Christ as the true God, the sultan was so impressed that he allowed him to preach to his subjects. [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18787/18787-8.txt Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Paul Sabatier] Though he didn't succeed in converting the sultan, the last words of the sultan to Francis of Assisi were, according to [[Jacques de Vitry]], [[bishop of Acre]], in his book "Historia occidentalis, De Ordine et praedicatione Fratrum Minorum (1221)" : “Pray for me that God may deign to reveal to me that law and faith which is most pleasing to him.”.[http://www.london.anglican.org/SermonShow_5071 St. Francis lecture]

In 1219 Francis left, together with a few companions, on a pilgrimage of non-violence to [[Egypt]]. Crossing the lines between the sultan and the [[Crusader]]s in [[Damietta]], he was received by the sultan [[Al-Kamil|Melek-el-Kamel]].[https://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/sbf/escurs/wwc/f.html] Francis of Assisi in the Holy land] Francis challenged the Muslim scholars to a test of true religion by fire; but they retreated. When Francis proposed to enter the fire first and, if he left the fire unharmed, the sultan would have to recognize Christ as the true God, the sultan was so impressed that he allowed him to preach to his subjects. [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18787/18787-8.txt Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Paul Sabatier] Though he didn't succeed in converting the sultan, the last words of the sultan to Francis of Assisi were, according to [[Jacques de Vitry]], [[bishop of Acre]], in his book "Historia occidentalis, De Ordine et praedicatione Fratrum Minorum (1221)" : “Pray for me that God may deign to reveal to me that law and faith which is most pleasing to him.”.[https://www.london.anglican.org/SermonShow_5071 St. Francis lecture]

At [[Acre, Israel|Saint Jean d'Acre]], the capital of what remained of the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]], he rejoined the brothers Elia and [[Pietro Cattini]]. Francis then most probably visited the holy places in [[Palestine]] in 1220.

At [[Acre, Israel|Saint Jean d'Acre]], the capital of what remained of the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]], he rejoined the brothers Elia and [[Pietro Cattini]]. Francis then most probably visited the holy places in [[Palestine]] in 1220.

On [[29 November]] [[1223]] the final rule of the order (in twelve chapters) was approved by Pope Honorius III.

On [[29 November]] [[1223]] the final rule of the order (in twelve chapters) was approved by Pope Honorius III.

While he was praying on the mountain of Verna, during a forty day fast in preparation for Michaelmas, Francis is said to have had a vision on or about 14 September, 1224, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, as a result of which he received the [[stigmata]]. Brother Leo, who had been with Francis at the time, left a clear and simple account of the event, [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia] the first definite account of the phenomenon of stigmata. "Suddenly he saw a vision of a seraph, a six-winged angel on a cross. This angel gave him the gift of the five wounds of Christ."

While he was praying on the mountain of Verna, during a forty day fast in preparation for Michaelmas, Francis is said to have had a vision on or about 14 September, 1224, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, as a result of which he received the [[stigmata]]. Brother Leo, who had been with Francis at the time, left a clear and simple account of the event, [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia] the first definite account of the phenomenon of stigmata. "Suddenly he saw a vision of a seraph, a six-winged angel on a cross. This angel gave him the gift of the five wounds of Christ."

Suffering from these Stigmata and from an eye disease, he had been receiving care in several cities ([[Siena]], [[Cortona]], [[Nocera Umbra|Nocera]]) to no avail. In the end he was brought back to the Porziuncola. He was brought to the ''transito'', the hut for infirm friars, next to the Porziuncola. Here, in the place where it all began, feeling the end approaching, he spent the last days of his life dictating his spiritual testament. He died on the evening of 3 October, 1226 singing [[Psalm 141]]. His feast day is observed 4 October.  

Suffering from these Stigmata and from an eye disease, he had been receiving care in several cities ([[Siena]], [[Cortona]], [[Nocera Umbra|Nocera]]) to no avail. In the end he was brought back to the Porziuncola. He was brought to the ''transito'', the hut for infirm friars, next to the Porziuncola. Here, in the place where it all began, feeling the end approaching, he spent the last days of his life dictating his spiritual testament. He died on the evening of 3 October, 1226 singing [[Psalm 141]]. His feast day is observed 4 October.  

*''Fioretti di San Francesco'', the "[[Little Flowers of St. Francis|Little Flowers of St. Francis]]", end of the 14th century: an anonymous Italian version of the ''Actus''; the most popular of the sources, but very late and therefore not the best authority by any means.

*''Fioretti di San Francesco'', the "[[Little Flowers of St. Francis|Little Flowers of St. Francis]]", end of the 14th century: an anonymous Italian version of the ''Actus''; the most popular of the sources, but very late and therefore not the best authority by any means.

For an exhaustive list of sources, see [http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAmain.html].

For an exhaustive list of sources, see [https://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAmain.html].

==Main writings by St. Francis==

==Main writings by St. Francis==

*Admonitions.

*Admonitions.

For a complete list, see [http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAwr02.html].

For a complete list, see [https://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAwr02.html].

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.ofm.org/  ORDO FRATRUM MINORUM - OFM- The homepage of the first order of Franciscans, Friars Minor. Lots of information.]  

*[https://www.ofm.org/  ORDO FRATRUM MINORUM - OFM- The homepage of the first order of Franciscans, Friars Minor. Lots of information.]  

*[http://www.franciscansinternational.org Franciscans International]

*[https://www.franciscansinternational.org Franciscans International]

*[http://www.friar.org Friars Minor Province of England]

*[https://www.friar.org Friars Minor Province of England]

*[http://www.capuchin.com The Capuchin-Franciscan Friars]

*[https://www.capuchin.com The Capuchin-Franciscan Friars]

*[http://www.franciscan-brothers.net The Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi, CFP located in the United States, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Brazil, Regular Third Order], official website

*[https://www.franciscan-brothers.net The Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi, CFP located in the United States, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Brazil, Regular Third Order], official website

*[http://www.ofmconv.org/ Conventual Franciscans Worldwide]

*[https://www.ofmconv.org/ Conventual Franciscans Worldwide]

*[http://franciscan-archive.org/ The Franciscan Archive]

*[https://franciscan-archive.org/ The Franciscan Archive]

*[http://www.s-s-f.org/ The Society of St. Francis ([[Anglican Communion|Anglican/Episcopal]]) in North America]

*[https://www.s-s-f.org/ The Society of St. Francis ([[Anglican Communion|Anglican/Episcopal]]) in North America]

*[http://www.franciscans.org.uk/ The Society of St. Francis ([[Anglican]]/ Episcopal) in Europe]

*[https://www.franciscans.org.uk/ The Society of St. Francis ([[Anglican]]/ Episcopal) in Europe]

*[http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAmain.html Franciscan Cyberspot: Sources for the Life of St. Francis]

*[https://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/fra/FRAmain.html Franciscan Cyberspot: Sources for the Life of St. Francis]

*[http://www.eugubininelmondo.it/en/francesco.html  '''ST. FRANCIS AND THE WOLF OF GUBBIO''' on ''Associazione Eugubini nel Mondo'']

*[https://www.eugubininelmondo.it/en/francesco.html  '''ST. FRANCIS AND THE WOLF OF GUBBIO''' on ''Associazione Eugubini nel Mondo'']

*[http://www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=stfranciswords The Words of St. Francis]

*[https://www.padrepiodevotions.org/index.asp?pagename=stfranciswords The Words of St. Francis]

*refer Flowers for Francis/ Praise by Raj Arumugam at www.ttsworld.com.au

*refer Flowers for Francis/ Praise by Raj Arumugam at www.ttsworld.com.au

*[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50 Article on St Francis at Catholic Online]

*[https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=50 Article on St Francis at Catholic Online]

*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm detailed Article on Francis of Assisi] from the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]

*[https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06221a.htm detailed Article on Francis of Assisi] from the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]

*[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf01.htm Patron Saints@ Catholic Forum]

*[https://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf01.htm Patron Saints@ Catholic Forum]

*[http://www.mirrorsforeternity.com/ Musical Theatre about St. Francis of Assisi]

*[https://www.mirrorsforeternity.com/ Musical Theatre about St. Francis of Assisi]

*[http://www.franciscans.org/ Friars Minor Conventual in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland]

*[https://www.franciscans.org/ Friars Minor Conventual in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland]

*[http://www.franciscanos.org/esfa/omfra.html Oposcula omnia Sancti Francisci Assisiensis] Writings of St. Francis, in Latin  

*[https://www.franciscanos.org/esfa/omfra.html Oposcula omnia Sancti Francisci Assisiensis] Writings of St. Francis, in Latin