Francis Of Assisi

St Francis of Assisi (1191-1226) was called by God into sainthood in times of great corruption around Europe and helped to rebuild the Church to its former justice. From living a very easy life in a family of wealth and honour to, on the contrary, stepping down and living and preaching with the poor, Francis’s life stands to today as a shining example of leadership and devotion. Despite the opposition, he lived a life of great influence, eternally surrendering himself to Christ and doing what he has considered to be his call from God. Throughout his life, war and illness as well, as other tests from God, led him to follow his Christian faith closely and change his demeanour. Next, his personal transformation over the course of his adolescence

A development in his faith occurred one day while riding through the countryside, where he drew upon a leper. After controlling his natural repulsion against the appearance of the outcast, he embraced the unfortunate soul and gave him all the money he had. Following the encounter, he always looked upon it as a test from God; one that he had indeed passed. This event was seen to be one in St Francis’ journey where he truly fell in love with Christ. Not long after this, another vision from God came to him during his search of conversion, while praying at the ‘forsaken wayside chapel’ of St Damien’s. There was the voice of God commanding him to ‘Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.’ Francis took the vision to literal terms to mean to rebuild the church he was in and so irrationally stole and sold a whole lot of his father’s merchandise. This caused him imprisonment and shame from his father, which lead him to cut his inheritance ties with his family at court. Having been taking before the bishop, in the act, he stripped off his clothes along with the money to be repaid and showing his faith, declaring God as his only father. Here, it was his final conversion, to which he had found his vocation in life at last, and was fully elated. From then on, he went forth to become an exemplified example of a

The “...love of Christ and Him Crucified permeated the whole life and character of Francis.” He went from being rich in the highest social class to having nothing at all but still was happily teaching the Gospel. This was due to his faith and devotion to God. As a result of this, he proved to many that you need nothing other than the love of God and so, causing many to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. He is a man where there is clearly so much to admire, one of which is his humble desire to “...lift up the hearts of [many] and move them to spiritual gladness.” Accordingly, It’s clear to say that he had left a mark on the world and took away avarice and evil in people’s lives. After Francis had lived a life of poverty, people started to become his followers and tried to restore spirit and peace to the thirteenth century. This is how the great Franciscan order of priests and brothers began and officially recognised in 1209, spreading across all of Europe and beyond. The brotherhood rebuilt churches and also served and helped the people in any way they could. St Francis insisted that the brothers live in poverty just as he did and in that way rejoice in the lord. By the time he died later on in 1226, there were thousands of Franciscans in many areas of the world. Therefore, the beloved St Francis changed the world after God had reached out and