Francis of Assisi facts for kids

St. Francis as painted by El Greco

Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) is a Christian Saint. He is the founder of the Franciscan Order and patron saint of animals, the environment, merchants, Italy and Catholic Action. He was born in Assisi in Italy where a large basilica was built in his honor.

On his feast day, October 4, many churches have a ceremony for people to bring their pets and working animals to church.

Early life

Saint Francis was born to Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant, and his wife Pica. He was originally named Giovanni Francesco Bernardone. In his youth, he was first interested by French troubadours, known as wanderers who improvised songs on a stringed instrument. He later planned a career in military. When he was serving in the war between Assisi and Perugia in 1202, at the battle of Ponte Saint Giovanni, he was captured and imprisoned for a year.

[1] During this time he had a conversion experience, including a reported message from Christ calling him to leave this worldly life. When Francis was released, he began taking his Christianity faith seriously. He acted as the Gospels was his laws and how he would act towards people; Jesus Christ as a literal example for loving one another. He dressed in rough clothes, ask and begged for his sustenance, and preached purity and peace. His family disapproved, and his father disinherited him; Francis formally renounced his wealth and inheritance. After that Francis started visiting hospitals and caring for the sick. In 1209 Francis started to attract followers, and with a blessing from the pope, he founded the Franciscans based on a simple statement by Jesus: “Leave all and follow me”.

Images for kids

The house where Francis of Assisi lived when young
Francis of Assisi by Cimabue
The San Damiano crucifix
Francis considered his stigmata part of the Imitation of Christ. Cigoli, 1699
The Pope approving the statutes of the Order of the Franciscans, by Giotto, 1295–1300
Pope Innocent III has a dream of Saint Francis of Assisi supporting the tilting church (attributed to Giotto)
Saint Francis Abandons His Father. Francis of Assisi breaking off his relationship with his father and renouncing his patrimony, laying aside publicly even the garments he had received from him.
Saint Francis before the Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt witnessing the trial by fire (wall fresco, Giotto.)
Oldest known portrait in existence of the saint, dating back to Saint Francis' retreat to Subiaco (1223–1224): depicted without the stigmata.
Francis of Assisi's last resting place at Assisi
Contemporary Franciscan friar
Legend of St. Francis, Sermon to the Birds, upper Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
Habit of Francis of Assisi
Life of Francis of Assisi by José Benlliure y Gil
A relic of Francis of Assisi
Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi
St. Francis Abbey, Kilkenny
Statue of Saint Francis in front of the Catholic church of Chania.
A garden statue of Francis of Assisi with birds
St. Francis and scenes from his life, 13th century
The Stigmatization of St Francis by Domenico Veneziano, (1445)
Saint Francis in the Desert Giovanni Bellini, c. 1480, Frick Collection
El Greco - Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, 1585 until 1590
Francisco Ribalta, Francis of Assisi with angel music, c. 1620
Saint Francis in Meditation, oil painting by Francisco de Zurbarán (1639)
Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy by Jusepe de Ribera, (1639)
Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, Caravaggio (c.1595)
Francis of Assisi visiting his convent while far away, in a chariot of fire by José Benlliure y Gil, (1855–1937)
The Ecstasy of St. Francis, Stefano di Giovanni (1392–1450) 1444
Jacopo Chimenti