“Frenchy” of Assisi

July 17, 2018

Frances rebelled and made spiritual history.

But before he did, he was like most young boys growing up in the 1800’s in a wealthy family in Medieval Assisi. The town as well as Frances father, had become rich because it sat on a busy trade route between Rome and northern Europe.

Frances hung out at the town square, and played with his friends on the pink limestone pavement, while the city around him dabbled in free-market capitalism, and democratic self rule.

As business boomed, people poured into the small city and everyone seemed to be focused on making money…

….except for the young idealist they called “Frenchy.”

Maybe “Frenchy” wanted to slow life down, keeping his town small and peaceful, or maybe it was the war with Perugia that changed him, after all everyone knows war changes a man. I think it was probally both, but what is known for sure is that after being captured and imprisoned for a year by the Perugians, he returned home a different person.

Frances spent a lot of time outside the city gates fasting, praying and searching for something. He avoided friends, and anything to do with his fathers cloth business, which caused conflict between he and his father.

It all came to dramatic head in the town square as he confronted his father, stripped off his clothes and threw them at him. This was his way of turning his back on the comfortable material life he knew, and declaring his life to God only.

Young idealists flocked to Frances who became a cult like figure who wandered Italy preaching in Italian (not latin) a non-materialistic simple life, full of love and where one can find God in the beauty of nature. He took a vow of obedience, chasitity and proverty and founded the religious order known as the Franciscans.

After becoming a Catholic Friar, deacon and preacher, Frances died at age 45 and was declaired to be a saint only two years later. Today, St Frances is the patron saint for ecologists, honoring his love for animals and nature.

Although I am not Catholic, and don’t plan on taking a vow of proverty or chasity anytime soon like Frances, I do understand the obedience to God and the draw to the simple life. Frances found the Creator in creation and love and peace in caring for it all.

I think we could all learn a few lessons from St Frances of Assisi.