Religious and Stigmatist
In 1182, Pica de Bourlemont bore a son to her rule for his followers, “to follow the teachings of our Lord husband Pietro di Bernardone in Assisi. Pietro was away Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.” He then lead on business at the time, so Pica had him baptized and them to Rome to seek permission to found a new religious named him Giovanni. Pietro owed much of his order from Pope Innocent III. The Pope reluctantly commercial success to France and had a great enthusiasm agreed to meet with Francis and agreed to informally for French culture, so upon his return he took to calling recognize them in order to protect them from the charge his son Francesco, which means “the Frenchman.” of heresy which the Waldensians had suffered a decade Pietro and Pica being wealthy, spoiled Francesco. ago. The Pope instructed Francis to return when they He was high spirited and strong willed, devoting his time increased in grace and number so they could be officially to food, drink and troubadours. He was considered to be admitted. In 1210, Pope Innocent admitted the Franciscan handsome and well dressed. He still began to become Order. somewhat disillusioned with the world around him, where Francis’ order began to grow quickly afterward, on an occasion when he was selling cloth on behalf of his and in 1211 attracted a young noblewoman named Claire father in the marketplace, when a beggar approached him of Assisi along with her cousin Rufino. In 1212 on Palm asking for alms. As soon as Francis finished his business Sunday, Claire snuck out of her home and met Francis at deal, he chased down the beggar giving him everything Saint Mary of the Angels where she took a religious habit Francis had in his pockets. His friends ridiculed him for and founded the Order of Poor Ladies. Francis lodged her his charity and his father berated him in anger. at a Benedictine Monastery along with her sister Caterina In 1202, seeking glory he joined a military until he could lodge them somewhere more suitable. expedition against Perugia. He was captured spent a year Francis wished to bring his message to the wider in captivity at Collestrada where he fell ill and reevaluated world, and in 1212 he set out for Jerusalem. The ship his life until he was ransomed by his father. He spent the which was taking him to Jerusalem was shipwrecked and next year in Assisi living relatively carefree until he left he was forced to return to Italy. In 1213 he tried to travel to join the army. On his journey, he received a vision to Morocco, but was forced to return when he became ill. which made him return to Assisi. He lost his love for the In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council, which was the worldly life and avoided the sports and feasts he once Thirteenth Ecumenical Council was convened by Pope enjoyed with his friends. When he began to be asked Innocent III during which it is believed may have incited about his interest in marrying, he answered “Yes, a fairer Francis to travel to Rome again. During this time, Francis bride than any of you have ever seen,” which he would met Dominic de Guzman, who would later found the come to call “Lady Poverty.” Dominicans and come to be known as Saint Dominic. Francis was eventually drawn to the country In 1219 during the Fifth Crusade, a Crusader chapel of San Damiano outside Assisi where he received Army had been besieging the city of Damietta, Egypt for a vision in which the San Damiano Cross said to him a year. Francis traveled to Damietta with one of his friars “Francis, Francis, go and repair My house which, as you with the hope to covert the Sultan, al-Kamil, who wat he can see, is falling into ruins.” Francis immediately nephew of Saladin. After a costly attack on the city in committed himself to repairing San Damiano, selling his August, the two sides agreed to a four week cease fire, fathers goods to finance the operation. Francis was called and during this time Francis crossed the Muslim lines by the Bishop of Assisi to make restitution, where Francis where he was captured and taken to the Sultan. The two returned the money he had taken, and in the midst of the had an amicable meeting. While the Sultan was not proceedings, renounced his father, inheritance, and convert, he guaranteed safe passage and an escort back to stripped naked before the Bishop covered Francis with his the Crusader camp. own cloak. After his return, Francis would become blind, and Afterward, he would travel Assisi as a beggar, would ultimately suffer the Stigmata, the wounds of asking for stones to restore San Damiano’s. Over the Christ on his hands, feet and his side. Francis fell ill and course of two years he continued this work, embracing the died on October 3rd, 1226. He was Canonized a Saint by life of a penitent. He would continue on, restoring the Pope Gregory IX, a personal friend of Francis, on July 16, chapels of San Pietro and Saint Mary of the Angels. His 1228. Francis is the patron of animals, merchants, example drew others to him, and within a year Francis had ecology and stowaways, and his feast day is October 4th. eleven followers. In 1209, Francis composed a simple