St. Francis of Assisi, also known as “the Poverello” or “Poor Little Man” baptized Giovanni & renamed Francesco, was born in the year 1181 in Assisi, duchy of Spoleto, in Italy. St. Francis was the founder of the three Franciscan orders of the Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), the women’s Order of St. Clare (the Poor Clares), and the Secular Third Order. He was also a leader of the movement of evangelical poverty in the early 13th century. 
One day, while the young Francis was crossing the Umbrian plain on horseback, he unexpectedly drew near a poor leper. Francis instinctively retreated, but controlling his natural aversion he dismounted, embraced the unfortunate man, and gave him all the money he had. Shortly thereafter Francis made a pilgrimage to Rome and upon returning visited the church of St. Damian below Assisi. While praying before the ancient crucifix in this forsaken wayside chapel, he heard a voice saying: "Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin." Francis took the words literally and immediately began restoring the old church. The San Damiano crucifix above the altar in our parish is a replica of the one that spoke to Francis that day. 

In 1208 Francis was hearing Mass in the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, near which he had then built himself a hut. The Gospel of the day told how the disciples of Christ were to possess neither gold nor silver, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff, and that they were to exhort sinners to repentance and announce the Kingdom of God. Francis took these words as if spoken directly to himself, and so as soon as Mass was over, he threw away his shoes, cloak, pilgrim staff, and empty wallet. At last he had found his vocation. Having obtained a coarse woolen tunic tied with a knotted rope, Francis went forth at once exhorting the people of the countryside to penance, brotherly love, and peace. His evangelical zeal, consecration to poverty, charity, and personal charisma drew thousands of followers.  In time the bishop of his diocese and the pope approved of Francis’ rule of life and the Franciscan order was established. In 1212 the female branch of the order was established when Clare of Assisi took vows.

St. Francis personally led an evangelistic mission to preach the Christian faith to the Muslims, established the custom of the Christmas creche and, while praying, received on his body the visible marks of the five wounds of the Crucified, the stigmata. In the process of his canonization the Church recognized many miracles performed by St. Francis. Some of the pious stories told about him include accounts of miraculous healings, persuading hardened criminals to repent and raising some people from the dead. St. Francis’s devotion to the human Jesus and his desire to follow Jesus’ example reflected and reinforced important developments in western spirituality. 

St. Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in Catholic history. He died on October 3, 1226, in Assisi and was canonized on July 16, 1228. St. Francis is the patron of Italy, merchants, and animals. His feast day is October 4. In 1979 Pope John Paul II recognized him as the patron saint of Christian ecology and in 2013 Cardinal Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio selected his name upon assuming the papacy.