Saint Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone; 1181/1182 – October 3, 1226)
Born to a prosperous family in Assisi, St. Francis realized as a young man that his life was to take a different course than one of earthly wealth and status. At a time when the Church needed a voice and witness to simplicity and total surrender to the generosity of God, Francis became a poor man because of his love for Jesus.
One day, during prayer at the church of St. Damian, Francis heard God speak to him through the cross of this beautiful, though neglected building. He heard the words, “Francis, go and repair My house.” He immediately began to restore the structure itself, only later to understand that God had called Francis to restore the Church in spirit and truth.
In 1224 Francis received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ, through which he grew in great holiness and closeness to the sufferings of the Lord. Francis was known for his gentle manner and humble heart, preaching the Good News even to the birds of the forest and fellowshipping with the wild animals living in the surrounding lands. Indeed, Francis considered all creation his family.
The founder of the Friars Minor, Francis made significant contributions to the growth of Christianity and the medieval Church.
In this icon Francis is shown with a symbol of the Cross of Santo Damiano and a dove of light. The forty-five main feathers comprising the dove’s tail and wings is equal to the number of years Francis walked this earth as a symbol of peace and purity in a troubled world
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