2006-10-01 16:03:25 · 15 answers · asked by Midge 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To eghy: He is one of the great ones Read about him in Butlers--The Lives of the Saints
2006-10-01 16:14:58 · update #1
I have!! I really like the story about the wolf, and they actually did find the remains of a wolf buried in the town where St. Frances of Assisi made the deal with the wolf.
Another legend from the Fioretti tells us that in the city of Gubbio, where Francis lived for some time, there was a wolf “terrifying and ferocious, who devoured men as well as animals.” Francis had compassion upon the townsfolk, and went up into the hills to find the wolf. Soon fear of the animal had caused all his companions to flee, but the saint pressed on and when he found the wolf he made the sign of the cross and commanded the wolf to come to him and hurt no one. Miraculously the wolf closed his jaws and lay down at the feet of St. Francis. “Brother Wolf, you do much harm in these parts and you have done great evil…” said Francis. “All these people accuse you and curse you…But brother wolf, I would like to make peace between you and the people.”
Then Francis led the wolf into the town, and surrounded by startled citizens he made a pact between them and the wolf. Because the wolf had “done evil out of hunger” the townsfolk were to feed the wolf regularly, and in return, the wolf would no longer prey upon them or their flocks. In this manner Gubbio was freed from the menace of the predator. Francis, ever the lover of animals, even makes a pact on behalf of the town dogs, that they will not bother the wolf again.
These legends exemplify the Franciscan mode of charity and poverty as well as the saint's love of the natural world.
Two facts do support the tale. There was a plague of wolves in that part of Italy in the 13th century and, many years later, when excavations were being carried out a the Church of St. Francesco della Pace in Gubbio, the skull and bones of a large wolf were found buried in the churchyard, close to the walls of the church itself.
PS I love all animals and nature, so St. Francis is my favorite saint because he too loved animals and nature...
2006-10-01 16:10:02 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go to a University that is ran by franciscan friars. I think th equestion is ehat do you want to know? St. Francis was a great man. That said, I think it's important to also say that I'm a Buddhist.
Francis was the epitome of compassion within the Catholic CHurch. To understand his beliefs, I think you should read Brother Sun, Sister Moon. He wrote it as a theological treatise.
2006-10-01 16:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
HIs feast day is coming up on Oct 4th. There will be some special shows about him on EWTN , and ewtn has streaming video on their website at http://www.ewtn.com
He was my kind of guy. Just kind of bopping around doing good. He is called the Hippie Saint by some. He dropped out of the rat race and led a very simple life, trying to imitate Jesus. A group of his old friends joined him, and then more people joined him. Today his followers make up the largest order there is, including Catholics and Episcopalians too. Kind of the Mother Teresa of his time.
2006-10-01 17:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by mary_n_the_lamb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, 40 years ago I spoke about him to my congregation the first time I stood at the pulpit to talk. I now work for a school associated with a Franciscan order, named after Mount Alverno. And I'm a devout animal lover.
How's that?
2006-10-01 16:06:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have. His feast day is Wed. Oct. 4. He wrote a very famous prayer that starts out with the phrase: " Let me be an instrument of thy peace."
2006-10-01 16:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good man of God. He had a good sermon for birds but it really was a sermon to people. Hope you can find it on the internet.
God's Gospel:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10
2006-10-01 16:08:16 · answer #6 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sure, a rich young man who renounced his wealth, built a church and opposed the Pope of the time on his strayings from the faith.
2006-10-01 16:07:08 · answer #7 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have. He's the patron saint of animals, I think.
2006-10-01 16:05:08 · answer #8 · answered by fearslady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I heard that St. Francis is a sissy.
Don't know if it was true or not.
2006-10-01 16:04:35 · answer #9 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I've been to his tomb. Giotto's painting of him is one of my favorite works of art.
2006-10-01 16:04:57 · answer #10 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋