ABM12_MANAGUIT_ST.FRANCIS_OF_ASSISI

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI 12

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LIFE OF SAINTS

1

VOL.

2021

MARCH

PATRON SAINTS OF ANIMALS AND ECOLOGY

PEC IAL ED ITIO N

₱120

#1

A long long time ago, in a little city known as Assisi in Italy, there lived a young boy named Francis Bernadone.

Francis grew up and he made friends with the sons of the richest man in Assisi. Everybody liked Francis as he could sing, dance...

Francis lives with his father and mother who love him very much.

Francis' father is one of the richest men in Assisi and he made sure Francis got everything he needed. He used to tell great tales of warriors every day. Francis loved these stories and as he listened to his father he longed to be a great knight someday.

and above all, he used to spend plenty of money at parties.

Haha, that was great fun today my friends!

Yes my friend, we'll meet tomorrow as well.

Goodnight everyone.

Goodnight.

My son, stop please.

Huh? Who was that?

Oh no, it's so late. Mother would be waiting for me. I must reach home quickly.

What? Do you know who I am? I'm the son of the richest man in Assisi. How dare you stop me like this?

My son, I haven't eaten anything all day. Can you please give me some money to buy food?

I.. I'm so sorry, I did not know who you were. I was hungry. Sorry, please forgive me.

Stupid old fool.

Oh no, I shouldn't have talk to him like that.

Hello! Stop!

What happened son?

I'm sorry for what I said. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that.

Please wait.

Here, please take this. I don't want you to sleep on an empty stomach tonight

Huh? Thank you my son. You are so kind.

You should go get something to eat.

I have to leave now.

That's alright son.

I hear that every time.

The people who were close to Francis knew that however careless he was, he always had a kind heart.

You don't have to do this my son.

Father, you know that I've always longed to become a knight.

Please my son, please don't leave. You know how much we love you.

In a few years, a war broke out.

Francis soon had a chance to be a soldier and fight the war.

I know Father. But please let me do what I want. I love being a soldier.

But I have always wanted you to be a merchant.

Everything I have earned is for you.

Thank you father.

Thank you so much.

Alright my son, if that's what you wish.

Come back soon my love.

And so, at the age of 19, Francis joined the army and went to war against the nearby town of Perugia

And Francis fought bravely. But the side that Francis fought for started losing.

The war lasted for many days.

Eventually, he was surrounded by the enemies.

That's a good idea.

This one looks rich. We can get good money from his parents.

Lord, everyone is dead. What am I suppose to do now?

No. Let us not kill him.

Let's take him as a prisoner and ask for ransom.

Kill him! He is all alone. Let's finish him.

Francis was taken as a prisoner knowing that they would get a good amount of money as ransom from his father.

In the meantime, he fell sick with a high fever. It was then when he started receiving visions from God. The visions he received made Francis a reformed person.

Lord... Huh? was it real? or am I just dreaming?

Francis was put in a dungeon, and he was to wait there until his father paid the ransom.

But it took almost a year of negotiations before Francis could be released

Francis returned home after a few days.

But he kept receiving these visions from God.

And he stayed away from lavish parties and friends.

He now wore ordinary clothes

Instead of his love for leading a soldier's life, a new love was born in his heart. A love for all hungry and sick people in the world.

Hello brother1 How are you feeling?

Huh? Are you not Francis, son of Pietro the silk merchant?

Yes, I am sir. I was born as a privileged person but now I see Jesus in you.

Oh! What a surprise!

Strange are the ways of the Lord.

It seem to him that he must go everywhere and tell everyone to love one another.

Ok brother, I will come and meet the other people staying in your colony. I hope I can be of service to you.

Francis spent most of his time praying in the mountain hideaways and in the churches nearby. One day he received another vision from God. Lord, if that's your will. Then I'm gonna fulfill it.

Not fully understanding the word of the Lord, Francis thought that his mission was to repair the churches which were in poor condition.

So he sold his clothes and his father's horse to collect money for repairing the church Thank you!

This really angered his father and he Your excellency, I took him to the bishop of Assisi. think my son has turned insane.

Huh? What makes you think that Pietro?

He has sold all of my silk clothes and even my horse for the sake of repairing some churches.

Is this allegation true Francis?

Your excellency, I have been entrusted with a mission by the Lord to rebuild the churches.

See? Did I tell you that he has turned mad.

But my son, we are here to do that. Why do you want to spend your father's money for that?

Francis returned all of his father's assets, left his Father's home and took a vow of poverty.

But your excellency, who gave my father this wealth?

God has given and I have taken for the sake of God.

See young gentleman, What you're saying may be correct, but you need to return your money to your father. As you have done this without his permission.

All right your excellency, if you say so I'm willing to give back his money. I will also return the clothes that I wear, which was also bought by my father's money.

As Francis lived his life of poverty and Follow the teachings of preached to people about the life of Jesus Christ, people began to follow him. our Lord Jesus Christ and walk in his footsteps.

He and his followers traveled to Rome to get approval for their religious order from the pope. At first the pope was reluctant. However, eventually he understood their vow of poverty and blessed the order.

When a woman named Clare of Assisi wanted to take similar vows, Francis helped her start the Order of the Poor Ladies. (Order of Saint Clare). He also started another order (later called the Third Order of Saint Francis) that was for men and women who didn't take vows or leave their jobs but lived out the principles of the Franciscan Order in their daily lives.

I'll be happy to assist you in the vow you are going to take.

Francis was known for his love of nature and animals because his devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God's creations. There are many stories about Saint Francis and his preaching to animals.

I'm going to take a similar vow for the Order of Poor Ladies.

It is said that he received the stigmata two years before he died. These were the wounds of Christ from the cross including his hands, feet, and side. More so, Francis traveled to the Holy Land during the Crusades hoping to conquer the Muslims with love rather than war. Francis also set up the first known Nativity scene to celebrate Christmas in 1220. He believed that actions were the best example, telling his followers to "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth and the sea and have a part in human life. We, therefore, invoke God's blessing on these animals. over all the creatures of the earth.

Francis became ill and spent the last few years of his life mostly blind. He died in 1226 while singing Psalm 141. He was declared a saint of the Catholic Church only two years after his death.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

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