St Francis of Assisi

St Francis was born in Italy, in a place called Assisi. His real name was Giovanni which means John.  His family were very wealthy and St Francis spent his money on expensive clothes and food. One day whilst out riding on his horse, St Francis came across a poor and sick man. Usually he would have turned away, but this time St Francis got off his horse, gave the man his cloak and kissed him. 

St Francis started going to church every day. As he prayed in a chapel, he heard a voice say, ' St Francis repair my church." Thinking that God was telling him to repair the chapel, St Francis used his fathers money and goods to rebuild it.  

His father was very angry and had his son arrested for stealing. St Francis returned all of the money and goods. He even stripped off all of the clothes he was wearing and gave them back to his father! A Bishop quickly covered him with an old tunic. St Francis continued to wear the old tunic for the rest of his life.  

From then on St Francis lived in poverty. He realised that when God asked him to "repair the church", he meant the church around the world.  Listening to God, St Francis worked to make the church better by speaking up for the poor and looking after them.  

Francis was known for his love of nature and animals. There are many stories about Saint Francis and his preaching to animals. It is said that one day he was talking to some birds when they began to sing together. Then they flew into the sky and formed the sign of a cross.

It was also said that Francis could tame wild animals. One story tells of a vicious wolf in the town of Gubbio that was killing people and sheep. The people of the town were frightened and didn't know what to do. Francis went to the town to confront the wolf. At first the wolf growled at Francis and prepared to attack him. However, Francis made the sign of the cross and told the wolf not to hurt anyone else. The wolf then became tame and the town was safe.

At the age of 44 St Francis died. His feast day is celebrated on the 4th October each year.