Saint Francis of Assisi

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was the son of a rich merchant Pietro Bernandone in Assisi, Italy. On the day of Francis' birth his mother Blessed Pica was in very difficult labor pains. Suddenly a stranger wearing pilgrim clothes appeared at their doorstep asking for alms. When the maid went to give him alms he told her that unless Pica was moved to the stable the baby will not be born. Immediately after Pica was moved to the stable baby Francis was born. 
In his youth Francis spent his days with his friends in dancing, singing and courting women. As young of Assisi went to war, Francis also joined them. However on his way he was taken a prisoner and during that time he experienced a deep conversion. He left the luxuries of his home and embraced a life of poverty and severe penance.
One day he saw a vision of Jesus prompting him to rebuild the church that lay ruins. Saint Francis took it literally and rebuilt with his own hands the church of Saint Damiano and several other churches. However later on he realized that the Lord had asked him to rebuild the spiritual condition of the Church which lay in ruins. Thus began his zeal to preach the word of God to whoever would listen to him. Sometimes when he found no people who would listen to his sermons, he would preach to the birds and animals. Saint Francis had a deep love for nature and creation. There were many occasions when birds of various colors would folk to him and he was known to even have befriended a fearsome wolf near the village. So on the day of his feast pets are blessed all around the world! 
Saint Francis is most well known for his great love for the poor and he led a life of extreme deprivation. He spent several weeks and months in solitary prayer and with minimum nourishment. In one instance he fasted for forty days in an island on water alone. 
During his final days Francis went into solitary living in the hills of La Verna and on the Feast of the Exaltation he received the gift of the five wounds of Jesus, the stigmata. When he took very ill he was brought to the little chapel of Portciuncula dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels. When he died legend says that one of the friars was able to see his soul in the appearance of a bright star being led by the angels to heaven.
Saint Francis is the founder of the Franciscan order and he had also assisted Saint Clare his friend to found the order of Poor Clares for women. 
Saint Francis please pray for us and help us to emulate your love for the poor and underprivileged!