A few facts to frame the life and times of Francis of Assisi:
born is Assisi, Italy – 1181 / 1182: died October 3, 1226 (Feast Day Oct. 4)
Medieval “Playboy”, son of rising Merchant class family – but he was characterized by singing, joy and generosity.
His ideal was to become a knight
In 1204 he went off to war with Assisi’s perennial enemy, Perugia. He was injured and captured in battle. Due to prison conditions he contracted malaria and bone tuberculosis. During imprisonment he sang.
About a year later he was ransomed by his father.
During his recuperation he grew disenchanted with his life, changed his ambition: now he was to become a knight of the “Great King” knowing that to be a knight in Christ’s court meant living a very different life.
Conversion:
His definitive conversion came when he faced his greatest fear. He encountered a leper along the road, dismounted from his horse and kissed him. He saw the Christ in him – everything changed – What was before loathsome became sweetness. Seeing Christ in those who suffer.
Mission: “Francis, rebuild my church – for you see it is ruins.”
While at prayer in a dilapidated church of San Damiano, Francis heard the voice of Christ speaking to him from the cross, “Francis, rebuild my church – for you see it is ruins.” At first he literally interpreted and set about repairing the church with his own hands. Eventually he began to see his larger commission to bring rebuild the entire church through a return to Gospel values of humility, poverty and simplicity.
Guerin Family 