The Saint from Assisi
April 1, 1987
Giovanni Bernardone was born in Assisi, Italy, about 1181. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis was a lighthearted, irresponsible youth who anticipated a life of chivalry. A year as prisoner of war in Perugia, a long illness, and the wretchedness of beggars and lepers in his own town led to his radical conversion and a life of poverty and prayer. In 1206 Francis left home to devote himself to caring for lepers and rebuilding neglected churches near Assisi. In 1209 a group of disciples went with him to Rome where they received papal approval for their rule of life. Francis organized an order for women in 1212 and a lay fraternity about 1221. His charity, total poverty, and dynamic leadership drew thousands of followers. He became a venerated religious figure and founder of the Franciscan Orders of men and women, a major religious reform movement of the early 13th century.
In 1224 Francis received the stigmata (the wounds of Jesus in hands, feet and side). He lived two more years in constant pain. Francis died October 3, 1226, at the Portiuncula at the height of his fame. Two years later he was canonized. The foundation of the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was laid that same year. This is where the Florentine painter Giotto painted a series of frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis.
Copyright © 1987 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian History magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Christian History.
 |
|  |
 | | | | Subscribe to Christianity Today and
get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive 9 more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
Give a gift subscription | Buy past issues |
| | | | |
 |
|  |
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
Print this article
E-mail this page
Bookmark this article
