A Saint Francis Of Assisi Biography
Biographies are enjoyed by readers for the insight they offer about inspiring individuals. A Saint Francis of Assisi biography does just this, revealing much about his struggles and triumphs. Fortunately, authentic documents exist, providing material from which to draw these insights. His followers wrote about him and his own liturgical writings reveal much too.
This was a man who lived a simple life, embracing poverty and caring for the poor and the ill. He was also known for his love of nature and animals of all kinds. The young man, however, bore little resemblance to the one that would later influence so many others by his spiritual example.
He grew up in Umbria, Italy and his father was a rich merchant. As a young man he was known for his ready wit and fine clothes. He was gallant and courteous and always had plenty of money to spend. He had no interest in becoming a merchant or in learning.
It took becoming a prisoner for a year during a petty civil war as well as bouts with illness to start turning his attention to more spiritual matters. An encounter with a leper where he overcame his revulsion to give him money was a turning point in his life. He started devoting all his time and attention to spiritual matters.
His beliefs eventually lead to him cutting himself off from his family and he wandered the highways, singing the praises of God and speaking to all about the love of God and the need for repentance. His beliefs were so sincere that a number of people started following him. One of his early disciples was a rich merchant who sold all his goods, gave the money to the poor and joined him.
Francis and his followers eventually gained papal approval and he gave his order the name Friars Minor or Little Brothers, signifying their humble status. They did not believe in owning property but when given the chapel at Porzuincola, they accepted use of the grounds and built huts there. Soon communities began to spring up all over and the Franciscan order spread far and wide.
The desire for a contemplative life was strong but so too was the desire to convert the infidels. This inspired missions outside of Italy. After some time away, he returned to find that in his absence, the order had made changes felt necessary to cope with the increased numbers and bring more organization. He was unhappy with these changes as he felt there had been a drift away from the simplicity and vows of poverty the order was known for.
It was in his latter life that this saint was fasting and praying on the mountain and had a spiritual encounter. He saw a vision of a seraph and after this one of the brothers with him at the time described a wound that appeared in his right side and black nails of flesh in his feet and hands with the points bent backwards. This incident is just one in the life of a saint who not only inspired his contemporaries but whose life will still hold meaning for readers no matter what time they are living in.
This was a man who lived a simple life, embracing poverty and caring for the poor and the ill. He was also known for his love of nature and animals of all kinds. The young man, however, bore little resemblance to the one that would later influence so many others by his spiritual example.
He grew up in Umbria, Italy and his father was a rich merchant. As a young man he was known for his ready wit and fine clothes. He was gallant and courteous and always had plenty of money to spend. He had no interest in becoming a merchant or in learning.
It took becoming a prisoner for a year during a petty civil war as well as bouts with illness to start turning his attention to more spiritual matters. An encounter with a leper where he overcame his revulsion to give him money was a turning point in his life. He started devoting all his time and attention to spiritual matters.
His beliefs eventually lead to him cutting himself off from his family and he wandered the highways, singing the praises of God and speaking to all about the love of God and the need for repentance. His beliefs were so sincere that a number of people started following him. One of his early disciples was a rich merchant who sold all his goods, gave the money to the poor and joined him.
Francis and his followers eventually gained papal approval and he gave his order the name Friars Minor or Little Brothers, signifying their humble status. They did not believe in owning property but when given the chapel at Porzuincola, they accepted use of the grounds and built huts there. Soon communities began to spring up all over and the Franciscan order spread far and wide.
The desire for a contemplative life was strong but so too was the desire to convert the infidels. This inspired missions outside of Italy. After some time away, he returned to find that in his absence, the order had made changes felt necessary to cope with the increased numbers and bring more organization. He was unhappy with these changes as he felt there had been a drift away from the simplicity and vows of poverty the order was known for.
It was in his latter life that this saint was fasting and praying on the mountain and had a spiritual encounter. He saw a vision of a seraph and after this one of the brothers with him at the time described a wound that appeared in his right side and black nails of flesh in his feet and hands with the points bent backwards. This incident is just one in the life of a saint who not only inspired his contemporaries but whose life will still hold meaning for readers no matter what time they are living in.