Our Patron

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Francis of Assisi is the most universally loved saint, for whom everything in the world is either a brother or a sister. He imitated his Guru, the Lord Jesus Christ and particularly he admired the poverty of Jesus.

Francis was born in 1181 in Assisi, Italy, of a wellto-do merchant, Peter Bernardon and Pica, a pious and noble lady. He died in 1226, at the age of 46. He was handsome, carefree, generous, ambitious and loved life and its glories. While going to fight for the Pope, he had a dream at Spoleto, someone asking him; 'Francis, what is more commendable, to serve the Master or the servant?', 'The Master', replied Francis. 'Then, why do you go about to serve the servant?' Francis was perplexed. The same voice told him to go back to Assisi and there he will be told what to do. He returned. A change came over to Francis. The passing glories of the world no more attracted him; he preferred' seclusion, silence. His companions laughed at him. Agony and anxiety taught him to pray: "Lord, what do you want me to do ?", He liked to pray before the crucifix in St. Damien's church. A voice came to him : "Francis, don't you see that my house is falling into ruins? Go and repair it." Immediately he took up the work. A large amount of money he took from his father's shop and gave it to the priest for the repairs. His already disappointed father was aghast. Disowning the son he claimed back the money. Francis returned him everything, even the clothes he was wearing, saying "Now on I can truly call God, my Father". He repaired the church, began to look after the lepers. In the poor and suffering he saw his Guru - the Lord Jesus Christ, and he served them lovingly. He preached very simply to the people the need of penance, love of God and neighbour. People began to come forward to share his way of life. A rule of life was formed based on the Gospels. Finally a very large company of people both men and women left every thing and followed Francis. They are called today the Franciscans.

St. Francis teaches us love and serve everyone as brother or sister, seeing God in everyone. His prayer was; "Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, Let me sow love " Lack of true love is the cause of all evils in the world.

The feast is celebrated on 4th October.