The young Francis of Assisi, an Italian, at the age of 14 while helping his father as salesman in his business, attracted the young, elegant and aristocratic members of Assisi to his father’s shop. All the qualities of youthfulness came almost naturally to him. Lively and refreshing jokes, powerful and passionate emotion, a generous, sympathetic and responsive heart were some of his characteristics. Prudence and integrity, great self-confidence and inner calm were quite visible in all his words and deed. Thomas of Celano, a disciple and biographer of St Francis, writes that Francis’ personality was so charming that youth of Assisi gathered around him and made him their hero, the knight of their election and an outstanding youth. Francis, too, enjoyed praises and tributes as he always hoped to attain knighthood. In 1201, when hostilities broke out between Assisi and Perugia Francis, he thought it would be an opportunity for him to distinguish himself and to win laurels and esteem of the whole world. Unfortunately, Assisi was defeated and young Francis’ dream was shattered. Yet he never gave up. Later, giving away all of his worldly possessions, we know that he not only became the Knight of Assisi but of the whole world, preaching and spreading the Word of God fearlessly and enthusiastically to everyone. Once he encountered Christ in the Crucifix, he was “shipwrecked in God” and became the ‘mirror of Christ’.
St Francis, the troubadour of God and probably the best-known saint around the world, is certainly an inspiration for the youth. He inspires the youth to better channelise their energy for a more noble cause i.e. for Christ. St Francis invites the youth of today to ‘put on faith’, ‘put on hope’ and to ‘put on love’ so that their life will have a new flavour, a real meaning and fulfillment.
Pope Francis who mirrors the values of St Francis of Assisi, encourages the youth to be true ‘athletes of Christ’ and to “think big” in following Jesus Christ like St Francis. He invites them to “wake up” to their responsibility to break down evil and violence, to destroy and overthrow the barriers of selfishness, intolerance and hatred, so as to build a new world by being joyful witnesses of God’s love. Taking St Francis as our model and inspiration, let us “repair” and “build” our world by being instruments of peace, love, goodness, truth and joy. Happy Feast!
