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Son of Piero Bernardone, Francis was born in Assisi in Umbria. His father was a successful merchant with a good economic position. If Francis projected to follow him in his trade activity, he also had other dreams like being a troubadour or a knight.

In 1201 he was taken hostage after taking part in an attack to the city of Perugia and remained a prisoner there for twelve months. In his captivity and a severe illness his thoughts gradually turned to religion and in 1205 he enlisted in another military expedition, to Apulia.

Nevertheless, he had a vision in which God called him to his service, and he returned to Assisi and began to take care of the ill.

In 1206, he had a dream in which Christ called him to repair His Church. Francis interpreted this as a command to repair the church of San Damiano, located near Assisi, not even imagining yet that is was for a much higher propose.

By this time, he resolved to become a hermit, dedicating his life to serve the others, pray and he subsequently devoted himself to repairing the church. His father, furious and ashamed by Francis’ ‘‘behavior’’ took him in prison and brought him before the bishop as disobedient. Francis’ reaction was simply abandon all his rights and possessions, including his clothes and become free.

Two years later Francis felt himself called to preach, and was soon joined by companions. When they reach the number of eleven he gave them a short Rule and travel to Rome to received approval from pope Innocent III for the brotherhood, which Francis named the Friars Minor.

After returning to Assisi the friars settled in huts at Rivoreto near the Porziuncula. They travelled throughout central Italy and beyond, preaching for people to turn from the world to Christ and forget the worldly attachment way of life. Francis remarked simplicity, poverty and faith as the higher goals for human expression.

The brothers worked or begged to live, and if it was any surplus they gave it to the poor. Francis turned his skills as a troubadour to the writing of prayers and hymns. The ‘’Preghiera semplice’’ or ‘’Simple prayer’’ sums up the fundamentals of his vision although it was later confirmed that he was not the author. He was one of the first in writing in Italian, using the people’s language, imitating the example of Jesus, since the Lord preached in Aramaic to be understood.

In 1212 Clara Sciffi, a girl from an italian noble family of Assisi, left her family to join Francis. With his encouragement she founded a sisterhood at San Damiano, the Poor Ladies, later the Poor Clares.

In 1219 Francis joined peacefully the crusaders and preached to the Sultan of Egypt he was impressed by his determination and courage (see dialogue between religions below).

It was not the wish of Francis to found an ‘order’, but in time the brotherhood became larger in number and more organized. Hence, Francis had to delegate responsibility to others. He wrote a more detailed Rule, which was further revised by the new leaders of the Franciscans.

Asissi , Umbria

He gave up leadership of the Order and retired to the mountains to live in prayer. Here Francis received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ during the Calvary.

Perceiving the time was coming, he returned to visit the Franciscans, and Clara and her sisters, and a few of his followers remained with him. He died at the Porziuncula on October 3, 1226.

Francis called for simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God. He worked to care for the poor, and one of his first actions after his conversion was to care for lepers. In his actions, Francis sought to follow completely the way of life demonstrated by Christ in the sacred Scriptures.

Nearby is the Subasio National park, and to find a hotel in Assisi, see here.