Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is probably one of the most popular saints of all time and is embraced by many people both Catholic and non-Catholic. He is best known for his love of animals and is a popular saint to have watching over a garden. He lived at a time of great controversy and falling away in the Church. Rather than leave, as so many were doing, God asked Francis to stay within the Church and reform it from within. When Jesus spoke to him from the cross at San Damiano (pictured here) He said, "Francis, rebuild my church, for you see, it is falling into ruins." Francis at once began collecting rocks to literally rebuild the church building at San Damiano, but he soon realized Christ was calling him to a radical lifestyle of poverty.
St. Francis speaks especially to us today who are going through world wide economic difficulties and asks us to re-prioritize our lives to be more in line with Christ's.
St. Francis, pray for us!
St. Francis has always been one of my favorite saints, since we have the love of animals in common. I still remember my aunt had a poster of him on our shared enclosed porch. When the house caught fire, it stopped right at that poster as if he demanded it do so.
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