Category:Saint Francis of Assisi

Born: 1181 – 1182 in Assisi, Duchy of Spoleto, Holy Roman Empire Died: October 3, 1226 (aged 43–45) in Assisi, Marche, Papal States; Honored in: Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion Lutheran Church Old Catholic Church New Age ecologists Canonized: July 16, 1228, Assisi, Italy by Pope Gregory IX Major shrine: Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi Feast: October 4 Attributes: Tau cross, dove, birds, animals, wolf at feet, Pax et Bonum, Poor Franciscan habit, stigmata Patronage: animals; the environment; Italy; merchants; stowaways; cub scouts; San Francisco, California

Saint Francis was founder of the Friars Minor (Franciscan Order)(born in 1182, died in 1226, Memorial on October 4)
 * He was born in Assisi in the 1180's to Pietro and Pica Bernardone. He was originally baptized Giovanni, but his father soon changed the infant's name to Francis. While a young man, he went to fight against the Perugia, but was taken prisoner and held in custody for over a year. Francis later joined an expedition against the emperor, but in the course of the journey Francis was told in a dream to return to Assisi, which he did. Francis made a pilgrimage to Rome. Francis restored the church of San Damiano and several neighboring churches. After being joined by eleven other men, Francis and his companions journeyed to Rome and received the approval of Pope Innocent III. Francis founded the Second Franciscan Order of Poor Ladies in 1212 with Saint Clare. He attempted to journey to Syria to convert the Saracens, but was shipwrecked and forced to abandon the idea temporarily. He attempted to journey to Morocco in 1214, but was also prevented. In 1219 Francis and eleven companions managed to visit the sultan in Damietta, but appear to have accomplished little. When they returned to Italy, the Franciscan Orders were in disarray. Francis resigned as general of the order and Peter of Cattaneo became the next general of the order. Francis began the tradition of the Christmas scene in 1223, received the stigmata in 1224, and composed the Canticle of the Sun in 1225. He died on October 3, 1226 at the Porziunicola, and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228.