The feast of St Francis of Assisi

Today we celebrate the feast of one of the most loved and venerated of all saints, Francis of Assisi. He lived in Italy in the 13th century, the son of a well-off family and as a young man lived a life of pleasure with his rich friends. In 1202 he joined in a civil war with the neighbouring town of Perugia but in 1203 he had a special vision and returned to Assisi giving up his interest in material affairs. He began living as a beggar, helping lepers and rebuilding ruined churches. One day after hearing the gospel of the sending out of the 12 apostles, he too began going around the countryside preaching penance, brotherly love and peace. He was soon joined by 11 others. In the following years, the Franciscan order was officially formed and then Clare of Assisi was inspired by Francis and the Poor Clares came into being. Francis also initiated the first living Christmas crib. However today, 800 years later, he is so relevant because of his love for all forms of God's creation which he identifies as his brothers and sisters. Praise God, Brother Sun and Sister Moon. As we grapple with the ever increasing disastrous effects of climate change, his example is an inspiration to us. Pope John Paul 11 named him patron of ecology in 1979, and Pope Francis who took the name of Francis so as ''not to forget the poor'' began his encyclical letter on the ecology by saying, ''Laudato Si, mi Signore - Praise to you, my Lord. In the words of this beautiful canticle, St Francis reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a mother who opens her arms to embrace us. Mother Earth, who sustains us and who produces various fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.'' Saint Francis, inspire us to love nature as you did and to do all we can to care for our common home.