Early life Francis of Assisi

the house francis of assisi lived when young

indulged parents, francis lived high-spirited life typical of wealthy young man. youth, francesco became devotee of troubadours , fascinated things transalpine. handsome, witty, gallant, , delighted in fine clothes. spent money lavishly. although many hagiographers remark bright clothing, rich friends, , love of pleasures, displays of disillusionment toward world surrounded him came in life, shown in story of beggar . in account, selling cloth , velvet in marketplace on behalf of father when beggar came him , asked alms. @ conclusion of business deal, francis abandoned wares , ran after beggar. when found him, francis gave man had in pockets. friends chided , mocked him act of charity. when got home, father scolded him in rage.

around 1202, joined military expedition against perugia , taken prisoner @ collestrada, spending year captive. illness caused him re-evaluate life. possible spiritual conversion gradual process rooted in experience. upon return assisi in 1203, francis returned carefree life. in 1205, francis left apulia enlist in army of walter iii, count of brienne. strange vision made him return assisi, having lost taste worldly life. according hagiographic accounts, thereafter began avoid sports , feasts of former companions. in response, asked him laughingly whether thinking of marrying, answered, yes, fairer bride of have ever seen , meaning lady poverty .

saint francis abandons father. francis of assisi breaking off relationship father , renouncing patrimony, laying aside publicly garments had received him.

on pilgrimage rome, joined poor in begging @ st. peter s basilica. spent time in lonely places, asking god spiritual enlightenment. said had mystical vision of jesus christ in forsaken country chapel of san damiano, outside assisi, in icon of christ crucified said him, francis, francis, go , repair house which, can see, falling ruins. took mean ruined church in presently praying, , sold cloth father s store assist priest there purpose. when priest refused accept ill-gotten gains, indignant francis threw coins on floor.

in order avoid father s wrath, francis hid in cave near san damiano month. when returned town, hungry , dirty, dragged home father, beaten, bound, , locked in small storeroom. freed mother during bernardone s absence, francis returned @ once san damiano, found shelter officiating priest, cited before city consuls father. latter, not content having recovered scattered gold san damiano, sought force son forego inheritance way of restitution. in midst of legal proceedings before bishop of assisi, francis renounced father , patrimony.

for next couple of months francis wandered beggar in hills behind assisi. spent time @ neighbouring monastery working scullion. went gubbio, friend gave him, alms, cloak, girdle, , staff of pilgrim. returning assisi, traversed city begging stones restoration of st. damiano s. these carried old chapel, set in place himself, , @ length rebuilt it. on course of 2 years, embraced life of penitent, during restored several ruined chapels in countryside around assisi, among them st. peter s, distance city; , porziuncola, little chapel of st. mary of angels in plain below town. later became favorite abode. degrees took nursing lepers, in lazar houses near assisi.