Francis of Assisi
Italian Catholic saint, friar, deacon and preacher and founder of the Franciscan Order (1181/2–1226)
Feast: 4 October (current Roman calendar, memorial) · 4 October (1962 Missal, III class)
Also kept: 17 September (Commemoration of the Impression of the sacred Stigmata of St. Francis Confessor, 1962 Missal) · 17 September (Commemoration of the Impression of the sacred Stigmata of St. Francis Confessor, 1962 Missal)
Who they were
Francis was born in 1182, son of the rich cloth merchant Pietro di Bernardone and the Provençal noblewoman Pica, and grew up in comfort, dreaming of great deeds. He went to war between Assisi and Perugia and set out for the Crusade, but a dream at Spoleto asked him why he served the servant rather than the Master. He came home changed, and began to embrace the lepers he had always found repulsive. Before the crucifix of San Damiano he heard: 'Francis, go and repair my church, which, as you see, is falling into ruin.'
He gave away everything; when his father denounced him he stripped off his clothes before Bishop Guido and took Lady Poverty for his bride. Companions joined him, and in 1209 Pope Innocent III approved their Rule, confirmed by Honorius III in 1223. With Clare he began the Poor Ladies, and founded a Third Order for lay people. He made the first living crib at Greccio at Christmas 1223, was the first saint to receive the stigmata, and was received with honour by the sultan. Worn out, he wrote the Canticle of Brother Sun, and on the evening of 3 October 1226 welcomed 'Sister Death' on the bare ground of the Porziuncola, aged 44.
The miracles
He was canonised two years after his death. The miracles examined are not described in the sources we have used.
Why that counted as sanctity
Francis took the Gospel literally and became poor, joyful and obedient, so like Christ that he bore His wounds. His whole life was praise of the Creator, and he renewed the Church of his time, as the voice at San Damiano had asked, not by fighting it but by loving it.
Connected on this site
- Bernard of Quintavalle Saint Pupil“Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Benigno Prieto del Pozo Blessed Influenced by them
- Domingo Alonso de Frutos Blessed Influenced by them
- Federico Herrera Bermejo Blessed Influenced by them
- Julián Navío Colado Blessed Influenced by them
- Marcelino Ovejero Gómez Blessed Influenced by them
- Martín Lozano Tello Blessed Influenced by them
- Víctor Chumillas Blessed Influenced by them
- Ángel Hernández-Ranera de Diego Blessed Influenced by them
- Amata of Assisi Saint“Francis of Assisi repaired early in his ministry and the first monastery founded for the Poor Clares by Clare.” — Wikipedia
- Anthony of Padua Saint“In 1220 the bodies of five Franciscan missionaries martyred in Morocco were brought to Coimbra, and he left the canons to follow Francis of Assisi, taking the name Anthony after the desert father.” — this site's research
- Antonio da Stroncone Saint“He became a member of that order in his youth after cultivating a strong devotion to Francis of Assisi during his childhood with his parents who were members of the Third Order of Saint Francis.” — Wikipedia
21 more
- Catherine of Siena Saint“Pope Pius II canonised her in 1461; she was declared a patron saint of Rome in 1866 by Pope Pius IX, and of Italy (together with Francis of Assisi) in 1939 by Pope Pius XII.” — Wikipedia
- Clare of Assisi Saint“Chiara Offreduccio (16 July 1194 – 11 August 1253), known as Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled Clara, Clair or Claire; Italian: Chiara d'Assisi), is an Italian saint who was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Francisco Saint“He was named after Francis of Assisi and like him (but unlike most founders of men's religious orders) Francis of Paola was never ordained a priest.” — Wikipedia
- Illuminato da Rieti Saint“Illuminatus of Arce (Italian: Illuminato dell'Arce) or Illuminatus of Rieti (Illuminato da Rieti) was an earlier follower of Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Joaquina Vedruna Saint“Joaquima de Vedruna Vidal de Mas, CCV (or Joaquina, and Joaquina of Saint Francis of Assisi in religion; 16 April 1783 – 28 August 1854) was a Spanish Catholic religious sister and the founder of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity.” — Wikipedia
- Luke of Padua Saint“Belludi is said to have been vested into the order by Francis of Assisi himself at age 25.” — Wikipedia
- Peter Damian Saint“Dante placed him in one of the highest circles of Paradiso as a great predecessor of Francis of Assisi and he was declared a Doctor of the Church on 27 September 1828.” — Wikipedia
- Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur Saint“Known as the "Saint Francis of Assisi of the Americas", he is the first saint native to the Canary Islands.” — Wikipedia
- Raynald of Nocera Saint“He was a close friend of Francis of Assisi and one of the seven bishops who consecrated the Portiuncula at Assisi, and proclaimed the Portiuncula indulgence.” — Wikipedia
- Saint Aurea of Paris Saint“The Catholic celebration of her feast was transferred to 5 October following their veneration of St Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Andrea Caccioli Blessed“He became the first priest to enter the Franciscans and served as one of the disciples of Francis of Assisi himself — the priest was at his deathbed and attended his canonization.” — Wikipedia
- Angela Truszkowska Blessed“Francis of Assisi (Felician sisters), she forged one of the first active-contemplative communities that, nearly a century and a half later, would grow to include more than 1,800 sisters over four continents serving in an array of ministries.” — Wikipedia
- Angelo Tancredi Blessed“The blessed Angelo Tancredi (died 1258) was a Roman Catholic monastic leader, one of the 12 early companions of Saint Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Giles of Assisi Blessed“1190 – 1262), was one of the original companions of Francis of Assisi and holds a leading place among them.” — Wikipedia
- Giovanni da Penna Blessed“He became a Franciscan in 1213 after hearing Fra Filippo - one of the disciples of Francis of Assisi - preach.” — Wikipedia
- Jacoba of Settesoli Blessed“was a follower of the Italian saint Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Ladislaus von Gielniów Blessed“He was an observant of the Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi and served his order in various capacities that included both a doorkeeper and as its provincial.” — Wikipedia
- Leopoldo da Gaiche Blessed“He was a preacher who went from diocese to diocese and served in a position of power in the Franciscan order in the Umbrian region in which he pushed for strong adherence to the Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Lucien Botovasoa Blessed“His thirst for the religious life led him to discover the Secular Franciscan Order in 1940 and he became part of it; he rallied others to know Francis of Assisi and enter the order themselves.” — Wikipedia
- Thomas of Celano Blessed“1265) was an Italian friar of the Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor) as well as a poet and the author of three hagiographies about Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Maria Velotti Venerable“Velotti also experienced several visions in her life such as visions of Jesus Christ and Francis of Assisi.” — Wikipedia
- Vatican News - Saint of the day (Italian): Francis of Assisi
- Wikipedia - Francis of Assisi (canonisation)
- Wikidata Q676555 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Francis of Assisi (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.