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The
Life and Times of Francis of Assisi
Francis
Chooses “Lady Poverty”
Francis
Meets the Sultan
The
First Christmas Crèche
An
Ecologist before His Time
Suggestions
for Reading
Legend
of St Francis :
2. St Francis Giving his Mantle to a Poor Man
Giotto di Bondone, 1297-1299
Fresco, 270 x 230 cm
Upper Church, San Francesco, Assisi
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The
Life and Times of Francis of Assisi
 In
1182, Pietro Bernadone returned from a trip to France to find
out his wife had given birth to a son. Far from being excited,
Pietro was furious because she'd had his son baptized Giovanni
after John the Baptist. Pietro wanted his son to be a man of business,
a cloth merchant like he was, and he especially wanted a son who
would reflect his admiration for France. So he renamed his son
Francesco, which is the equivalent of calling him Frenchman.
Francis enjoyed
a very rich, easy life growing up because of his father's wealth.
From the beginning, everyone loved Francis: he was constantly
happy, charming, and a born leader.
No one loved
pleasure more than Francis; he had a ready wit, sang merrily,
delighted in fine clothes and showy display. Handsome, gallant,
and courteous, he soon became the prime favourite among the young
nobles of Assisi, the foremost in every feat of arms, the leader
of the civil celebrations, the king of entertainment. But even
at this time Francis showed an instinctive sympathy with the poor,
and though he spent money generously, it still flowed in such
channels as to attest a princely magnanimity of spirit.
In 1205,
the night before Francis set forth for a battle with the pope’s
militia, he had a strange dream, in which he saw a vast hall hung
with armour all marked with the Cross. "These," said
a voice, "are for you and your soldiers." "I know
I shall be a great prince," exclaimed Francis exultingly,
as he started for Apulia. But a second illness arrested his course
at Spoleto and Francis had another dream in which the same voice
bade him turn back to Assisi. He did so at once.
Although
Francis still joined at times in the noisy festivities of his
former comrades, his behaviour showed that his heart was no longer
with them; a thirst for the life of the spirit had already possessed
it. His companions twitted Francis on his absent-mindedness and
asked if he were minded to be married. "Yes," he replied,
"I am about to take a wife of surpassing fairness."
She was no other than Lady Poverty.
After a short
period of indecision, he began to seek in prayer and solitude
the answer to his call; he had already given up his splendid clothes.
One day, while crossing the Umbrian plain on horseback, Francis
unexpectedly drew near a leper. The sudden appearance of this
repulsive man filled him with disgust and he instinctively retreated,
but presently controlling his natural aversion he dismounted,
embraced the unfortunate man, and gave him all the money he had.
The
Call of San Damiano
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