• Vocational Experiences
• Franciscan History
• Francis of Assisi

Francis was born at Assisi in Umbria in 1182. He was born while his father was traveling in France. Upon returning from France, Pietro, his father was furious because his new son was baptized Giovanni after John the Baptist by his mother. Infact he changed his name to Francis, for the country which had enthralled him. His father, Piero Bernardone, was a rich merchant, and Francis planned to follow him in his trade, although he also had dreams of being a troubadour or a knight. In 1201, when he was twenty the Perugians made war on Assisi, and Francis was imprisoned for a year with some of the nobles from his city. Francis dreamed of becoming a knight and winning glory.

While he was delirious with sickness, a voice asked him why he left the Lord to serve a vassal. He decided to renounce military glory, and he returned to Assisi where he began to serve the sick and the poor and to rebuild three churches in the area. He took part in an attack on Perugia, was taken hostage, and remained a captive there for a year. As a result of his captivity and a severe illness his mind began to turn to religion, but around 1205 he enlisted in another military expedition, to Apulia. However, he had a dream in which God called him to his service, and he returned to Assisi and began to care for the sick. In 1206, he had a vision in which Christ called him to repair His Church. Francis interpreted this as a command to repair the church of San Damiano, near Assisi. He resolved to become a hermit, and devoted himself to repairing the church. His father, angry and embarrassed by Francis' behavior, imprisoned him and brought him before the bishop as disobedient. Francis abandoned all his rights and possessions, including his clothes. There, he claimed in front of eveybody: "I can now say, 'My Father who art in heaven!'" Two years later he felt himself called to preach, and was soon joined by companions. When they numbered eleven he gave them a short Rule and received approval from pope Innocent III for the brotherhood, which Francis called the Friars Minor.

The friars returned to Assisi and settled in huts at Rivoreto near the Porziuncula. They travelled throughout central Italy and beyond, preaching for people to turn from the world to Christ. In his life and preaching, Francis emphasized simplicity and poverty, relying on God's providence rather than worldly goods. The brothers worked or begged for what they needed to live, and any surplus was given to the poor. Francis turned his skills as a troubadour to the writing of prayers and hymns.

In 1212 Clara Sciffi, a girl from a noble family of Assisi, left her family to join Francis. With his encouragement she founded a sisterhood at San Damiano, the Poor Ladies, later the Poor Clares. Saint Clare, born in 1194, was the daughter of prominent nobility. Before her birth, it was revealed to her mother that her child would be a brilliant light in the world. Clare was a beautiful girl, possessing a good personality and a brilliant mind as well. She was generous to the poor, and prayed often, delighting in praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Through her life of self-denial and seclusion and deep prayer, Clare found much happiness and fulfillment. She died in 1253, and was canonized in 1255. Her feast day is on August 11th.

The Poor Clares in Malta are in Regional Road St. Julians, on your way to Paceville. The Poor Clares are a community of about 30 nuns, who in silence pray and work. They can be contacted on 2138 3341.

In 1219 Francis joined the crusaders and preached to the Sultan of Egypt.Francis did not wish to found and 'order', but in time the brotherhood became more organized. As large numbers of people, attracted to the preaching and example of Francis, joined him, Francis had to delegate responsibility to others.

A most symbolic legend of St. Francis is how he tamed the fierce wolf who was ravaging the city of Gubbio. Francis encoun-tered the wolf with the sign of the cross and then explained to the animal the wrongs he had done in devouring beasts and killing people. In bringing peace to the wolf Francis promised that the people of Gubbio would feed him so that hunger would no longer drive him to these crimes. The wolf obediently followed Francis, and the citizens were amazed. Francis then preached to the people how they ought to give up their fear and take care of the wolf by providing food, which they all agreed to do. Many other stories also reveal how Francis loved all of God's creatures.

Once Brother Leo asked Francis what perfect joy is. Francis related that if, they, when wet, cold, and muddy, knocked on a convent door, and the porter refused to let them in but drove them away like a couple of thieves, beating them with clubs until they nearly died, "and if we endure all this so patiently, and think of the sufferings of Christ, the All-praised One, and of how much we ought to suffer for the sake of our love of him - O Brother Leo, mark thou, that in this is perfect joy." Perhaps the teachings of Francis are best conveyed by the simple prayer which he lived so well.

He gave up leadership of the Order and went to the mountains to live in secluded prayer. There he received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ. In the last year of his life Francis, though ill, helped to make peace between the Bishop and the podesta who were feuding in Assisi.He returned to visit the Franciscans, and Clara and her sisters, and a few of his followers remained with him. He died at the Porziuncula on October 3, 1226.

Francis called for simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God. He worked to care for the poor, and one of his first actions after his conversion was to care for lepers. Thousands were drawn to his sincerity, piety, and joy. In all his actions, Francis sought to follow fully and literally the way of life demonstrated by Christ in the Gospels.

The Franciscan Family celebrate the feast of St. Francis on October 4 and remember the date when he received the Stigmata on September 17th.