Saint Francis of Assisi 1

Saint Francis of Assisi
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Francis was born in Assisi in
Italy, in 1182.
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He was the son of a rich merchant
and he grew up to love pleasure
more than anything else.
He became a knight, and set off
seeking adventure, until he
became ill. Then he had a dream,
telling him to go back to Assisi.
There, he began to pray, and think
about his life. He noticed the
suffering of the poor, and when he
met a leper, he gave him all he
had. He felt that God had work for
him to do….but what was it?
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Francis prayed
before an ancient
crucifix in the
church of San
Damiano.
He heard the
Lord say,
“Francis, repair
my house.”
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So Francis hurried back to
his father’s house and took
bales of cloth to sell for the
church. His father was
furious and he was beaten
and locked up. His mother
helped him escape and he
hurried off to re-build the
church, begging for stones
along the way. He built a
little hut to live in by the
church of St.Mary of the
Angels and at Mass one
day he heard the Gospel
tell him to give
everything to the
poor – so he did. He
dressed himself in a
poor brown tunic.
Franciscans wear
this habit today.
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Franciscans
around the world
today
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Maximilian Kolbe
and Padre Pio
are Franciscan
saints.
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Did you know
that we have
Franciscan
Missionaries
here in our
Parish??
Sister Cecily, Sister Nicola and Sister
Susan are Franciscans. They are
carrying on St. Francis’ and St.Clare’s
work here in Salford, in 2005.
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Other men came to join Francis. They
needed directions – a rule to live by…
…so Francis
opened his
Book of the
Gospels
three times,
to see what
to do. This
is what he
read…
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
“You must take my cross and follow in
my path.”

“Sell all you have and give it to the
poor, and you will have riches in
heaven. Then follow me.”

“Take nothing with you for the journey
– no stick, no food, no money, not even
an extra shirt!”
These will be our rules, said Francis.
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Francis and his followers did exactly
what Jesus said in the Gospel. They
travelled about looking like beggars ,
in sandals or even barefoot. They
lived in little huts or along the
wayside, and at first they were often
mocked and jeered at… but they
were joyful and kind and they taught
and preached and did all they could
to help the poor.
They became loved and respected by
everyone and thousands and
thousands of friars came to join
Francis . A young woman named
Clare asked Francis to help her set
up a community of women who
wanted to follow Jesus too.
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Francis loved
all of God’s
creation…
he was gentle
and loving to
animals and the
birds of the air.
He called them
his brothers and
sisters, too.
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Francis tamed the wolf at Gubbio
And even the wild birds
listened to his gentle words
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Francis brought
the the
Christmas story
to life by
creating the first
Christmas Crib,
at Greccio,
more than 700
years ago.
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Franciscan friars from all round the world
at their Christmas crib in Rome.
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Francis cared for
everyone, except
himself, and he
became tired and ill.
He thought of
Christ’s sufferings on
the cross , instead of
his own illness…
and one day, while praying
before the crucifix,
he received the stigmata,
the five wounds of Christ.
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Francis saw how beautiful the world can be, when
we love and take care of it and each other.
He is the Patron Saint of Ecologists.
He wrote wonderful poetry,
prayers and songs
which millions of people love today.
17
Almost at the end of his life, Francis went
blind. It was then that he wrote his
beautiful prayer, the Canticle of the Sun.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day;
and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord,
through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens you have made them,
precious and beautiful.
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Francis died in
1226, in a tiny hut,
close by the little
chapel of St.Mary
of the Angels.
He became a saint
just 2 years later,
and a great church
was built over the
chapel.
Now millions of
pilgrims visit Assisi
every year.
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Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light, and
where there’s sadness, ever joy.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men, that we receive,
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
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Saint Francis of Assisi
You learned to live like Our Lord.
Millions of people have learned from you.
Help us to grow up like you – strong and
gentle, faithful and true.
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