Francis, Saint, of Assisi

Francis, Saint, of Assisi (1182-1226), founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), b. Assisi, Italy.

Francis Bernardone was the son of a rich cloth merchant.

He was a handsome, gay young man, fond of fun, but he suddenly changed his way of life.

He told his father that he did not want any of his money and left home to preach the Christian faith.

Other men joined him preaching on the dusty roads and helping poor people, and they formed a new order of monks.

Francis himself was loved by all who knew him.

He was noted for his love of animals and many legends are told about him. They include how he preached to a flock of birds and how he saved the town of Giubbio from a fierce wolf. These stories are told in a book written about a century after his death. It is called The Little Flowers of St. Francis and people still read it today.