FRANCIS OF ASSISI: Relevant saint for our times

St Francis of Assisi, whose feast is on October 4, is one of the most well-known saints of all times. The figure of Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) has always captured the imagination of people from all walks of life: Christians and Muslims, royalty and prime ministers, rich and poor, intellectuals and workers, philosophers and theologians, poets and novelists, artists and filmmakers, historians and sociologists, peacemakers and environmentalists, and people of all religions. 

Francis, the Church’s most popular saint, was a person who lived out the Gospel better than anybody! Taking the Gospel seriously and living it passionately, he followed the footprints of Jesus Christ religiously, becoming an extraordinary example of Christian living in our world. 

Francis, one of the best known saints of the world, was very much a man of action. He gave away all his worldly possessions and lived a life of radical penance, manifesting itself in a deep spirit of poverty, simplicity and humility. His life of penance was evangelical in its fervour and purpose, namely, to lead people to God in Christ. Francis, as a good Samaritan, believed that deeds were more important than creeds. Francis ‘the poverello’ was a brother to everyone. He saw the Divine not only “in all the peoples of earth” but also in all created things, and he sought a reconciliation of all creation with both humanity and with God. He said, “Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

Part of Francis’ love for and appreciation of the environment is expressed beautifully in his Canticle of the Sun. He saw himself as part of the ecosystem. He talked lovingly and personally to the stars, trees, birds and animals, etc, and referred to all creatures and created things as “brothers” and “sisters” and therefore  all of the environment is worthy of respect. How very appropriate in these trouble days of environmental crisis. In 1979 Francis was proclaimed by Pope John Paul II as the patron of ecology, as was cited by the Pope as “an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation.” 

Francis, the “God-intoxicated” Christian mystic was ahead of his time in ecumenism. The Catholic Church recognises the good in the world religions and seeks to embody reconciliation and peace in all its endeavours. St Francis did likewise. In the middle of a battle during the Fifth Crusade Francis made a valiant attempt to stop the crusades by seeking out a personal dialogue with a Muslim Sultan in Syria, his aim being to make peace and offer reconciliation and love. The Sultan was greatly impressed and moved. The beautiful Peace Prayer of St Francis embodies all of his spiritual ideals and values!

What makes Francis special and gives him his universal appeal is his genius of living out in his actions the essence of his Christian convictions.

Pope Francis of Rome, like St Francis of Assisi, is a man of reform calling the church “back to basics”, and back to the Gospel. He reminds the church and the world of today to follow the model of the humble and joyful St Francis to ‘repair the church’ and to heal the broken world.