Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (St. Francis of Assisi)
- Born:
- c. 1181/1182, Assisi, Duchy of Spoleto (present-day Italy)
- Died:
- October 3, 1226, Assisi, Papal States (present-day Italy)
- Nationality:
- Italian
- Profession(s):
- Religious Leader, Founder of the Franciscan Order, Deacon
Early Life and Education
- Born to Pietro di Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant, and Pica de Bourlemont.
- Received a basic education, including Latin and the local dialect.
- Spent his youth indulging in a life of luxury and social pursuits.
- Participated in military campaigns, including the war between Assisi and Perugia in 1202.
Career and Major Achievements
- Experienced a profound spiritual conversion around 1205.
- Renounced his family inheritance and embraced a life of poverty and service.
- Founded the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1209, receiving oral approval from Pope Innocent III.
- Traveled to Egypt during the Fifth Crusade in 1219 and met with Sultan al-Kamil.
- Established the Poor Clares (Order of Saint Clare), a female religious order, in 1212.
- Received the stigmata (wounds of Christ) on Mount La Verna in 1224.
Notable Works
- The Rule of the Friars Minor (approved by Pope Honorius III in 1223)
- The Canticle of the Sun (a hymn of praise to God)
- Numerous letters, prayers, and admonitions that articulated his spiritual vision.
Legacy and Impact
St. Francis of Assisi, a pivotal figure in Christian history, left an enduring legacy through his commitment to poverty, simplicity, and love for all creation. This st francis de assisi biography showcases his profound influence on spirituality, social justice, and the environment, continuing to inspire people across religious and cultural boundaries.