Character and legacy Francis of Assisi

1 character , legacy

1.1 nature , environment
1.2 feast day
1.3 papal name
1.4 protestantism

character , legacy

it has been argued no 1 else in history dedicated francis imitate life, , carry out work of christ, in christ’s own way—francis remembered alter christus, ( christ ). important in understanding francis character , affinity eucharist , respect priests carried out sacrament.

he , followers celebrated , venerated poverty. poverty central character in last written work, testament, said absolute personal , corporate poverty essential lifestyle members of order.

he believed nature mirror of god. called creatures “brothers” , “sisters”, , preached birds , supposedly persuaded wolf stop attacking locals if agreed feed wolf. in canticle of creatures (“praises of creatures” or “canticle of sun”), mentioned “brother sun” , “sister moon”, wind , water, , “sister death”. referred chronic illnesses “sisters . deep sense of brotherhood under god embraced others, , declared “he considered himself no friend of christ if did not cherish whom christ died”.

francis visit egypt , attempted rapprochement muslim world had far-reaching consequences, long past own death, since after fall of crusader kingdom, franciscans, of catholics, allowed stay on in holy land , recognized custodians of holy land on behalf of catholic church.

at greccio near assisi, around 1220, francis celebrated christmas setting first known presepio or crèche (nativity scene). nativity imagery reflected scene in traditional paintings. used real animals create living scene worshipers contemplate birth of child jesus in direct way, making use of senses, sight. thomas of celano, biographer of both francis , saint bonaventure, tells how used straw-filled manger (feeding trough) set between real ox , donkey. according thomas, beautiful in simplicity, manger acting altar christmas mass.

nature , environment

francis preached christian doctrine world created , beautiful god suffers need redemption because of human sin. believed creatures should praise god (a common theme in psalms) , people have duty protect , enjoy nature both stewards of god s creation , creatures ourselves. on november 29, 1979, pope john paul ii declared saint francis patron saint of ecology. many of stories surround life of saint francis had great love animals , environment.

a garden statue of francis of assisi birds

perhaps famous incident illustrates saint s humility towards nature recounted in fioretti ( little flowers ), collection of legends , folklore sprang after saint s death. said that, 1 day, while francis travelling companions, happened upon place in road birds filled trees on either side. francis told companions wait me while go preach sisters birds. birds surrounded him, intrigued power of voice, , not 1 of them flew away. portrayed bird, typically in hand.

another legend fioretti tells in city of gubbio, francis lived time, wolf terrifying , ferocious, devoured men animals . francis had compassion upon townsfolk, , went hills find wolf. soon, fear of animal had caused companions flee, though saint pressed on. when found wolf, made sign of cross , commanded wolf come him , hurt no one. miraculously wolf closed jaws , lay down @ francis feet.

brother wolf, harm in these parts , have done great evil , said francis. these people accuse , curse ... brother wolf, make peace between , people. francis led wolf town, , surrounded startled citizens made pact between them , wolf. because wolf had “done evil out of hunger, townsfolk feed wolf regularly. in return, wolf no longer prey upon them or flocks. in manner gubbio freed menace of predator. francis made pact on behalf of town dogs, not bother wolf again. finally, show townspeople not harmed, francis blessed wolf.

then during world environment day 1982, john paul ii said saint francis love , care creation challenge contemporary catholics , reminder not behave dissident predators nature concerned, assume responsibility it, taking care stays healthy , integrated, offer welcoming , friendly environment succeed us. same pope wrote on occasion of world day of peace, january 1, 1990, saint of assisi offers christians example of genuine , deep respect integrity of creation ... went on make point that: friend of poor loved god s creatures, saint francis invited of creation – animals, plants, natural forces, brother sun , sister moon – give honor , praise lord. poor man of assisi gives striking witness when @ peace god better able devote ourselves building peace creation inseparable peace among peoples.

pope john paul ii concluded section of document these words, hope inspiration of saint francis keep ever alive sense of fraternity , beautiful things almighty god has created.

feast day

francis last resting place @ assisi



a relic of francis of assisi

saint francis feast day observed on october 4. secondary feast in honor of stigmata received saint francis, celebrated on september 17, inserted in general roman calendar in 1585 (later tridentine calendar) , suppressed in 1604, restored in 1615. in new roman missal of 1969, removed again general calendar, of duplication of main feast on october 4, , left calendars of localities , of franciscan order. wherever traditional roman missal used, however, feast of stigmata remains in general calendar.

on june 18, 1939, pope pius xii named francis joint patron saint of italy along saint catherine of siena apostolic letter licet commissa . pope pius mentioned 2 saints in laudative discourse pronounced on may 5, 1949, in church of santa maria sopra minerva.

saint francis honored in church of england, anglican church of canada, episcopal church usa, old catholic churches, evangelical lutheran church in america, , other churches , religious communities on october 4. evangelical church in germany, however, commemorates saint francis feast day on death day, october 3.

papal name

on 14 march 2013, upon election pope, archbishop , cardinal jorge mario bergoglio of argentina chose francis papal name in honor of saint francis of assisi, becoming pope francis.

at first audience on 16 march 2013, pope francis told journalists had chosen name in honor of saint francis of assisi, , had done because concerned well-being of poor. explained that, becoming clear during conclave voting elected new bishop of rome, brazilian cardinal cláudio hummes had embraced him , whispered, don t forget poor , had made bergoglio think of saint. bergoglio had expressed admiration st. francis, explaining “he brought christianity idea of poverty against luxury, pride, vanity of civil , ecclesiastical powers of time. changed history. bergoglio s selection of papal name first time pope has been named francis.

protestantism

even in protestantism, name , legacy of saint francis have endured.

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