St. Francis of Assissi
Saint Francis of Assisi was born in 1182, the only son of Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant of central Italy. Peitro gave his son the name of Giovanni at baptism, though he afterwards changed it to Francesco, perhaps in honor of his trading in France. Pietro's worldly success had secured for the young Francis a care-free life of material comfort. Francis was a popular child, often the center of attention, he played sports, or serenading to the women of his city, Assisi. He definitely had a social life. Francis eagerly sought: the fame, glory, and honor of battle. Therefore, in 1201 at the age of 19, he became a knight in order to join the war with Assisi's enemy, Perugia. However, after a sudden loss, Francis spent nearly a year as a prisoner of the Perugia. Once his father found out he raised enough money, so in 1203 he paid Francis' ransom. He soon realized that he didn't belong in battle and soon he turned to religion. Though he turned to the Sacred Scriptures for comfort; imprisonment and illness had shattered his self-assurance. Basically, instead of reassuring him, the Gospel challenged Francis with values of Christian discipleship and morals. Though, we lost much of his favor with
The friars cared for and bathed the lepers, beginning the Franciscan tradition of special attention to the poor. One night, Bernardo da Quintavalle watched Francis as he repeatedly prayed "My God and My All. Francis began to recognize the true nature of God's call. So Francis accepted her in 1212 with several other young women and placed them in a monastery where they developed an understanding which consisted of a commitment to peace, prayer, and solitude. One day, Francis encountered a leper. Uncertain of the vision, he returned to Assisi where his first depression soon became an emotional crisis. In 1210 Francis walked to Rome with his followers to receive the blessing of the Pope on the founding of his Order. Once the Pope saw Francis he recognized Francis as the man in his dream. Obviously this act would cause controversy between the two. To this day, the Poor Clares have retained their commitment a poor life and are still a part of the Franciscan lifestyle. George (now around the area of the monastery of St. In October of 1206, Pietro publicly demanded repayment for everything that Francis had given to the poor and the money he spent on the chapel. Jesus spoke to him from a crucifix saying, "Rebuild my Church. This was a socially accepted until the nineteenth century, when the legal system began to use anti-cruelty laws.
Common topics in this essay:
Sacred Scriptures,
Poor Clares,
Son God,
France Pietro's,
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Christ's Incarnation,
Elias Cortona,
Angels Porziuncola,
Lateran Basilica,
Church Clare,
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soon realized,
material possessions,
jesus' crucifixion,
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tied waist,
simple tunic,
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