St. Francis of Assisi
The familiar saint
The familiar saint
As a wee youngster, the only saints I knew existed were Mary, Joseph, Patrick (patron of my ancestral homeland), Francis Xavier (my childhood parish’s patron), and Francis of Assisi (the saint from books pictured alongside cute, cuddly animals). Not a very long list to be sure, but I would venture to say there are many Catholics, young and old, who, somehow, seem to have always known the name St. Francis of Assisi.
As a wee youngster, the only saints I knew existed were Mary, Joseph, Patrick (patron of my ancestral homeland), Francis Xavier (my childhood parish’s patron), and Francis of Assisi (the saint from books pictured alongside cute, cuddly animals). Not a very long list to be sure, but I would venture to say there are many Catholics, young and old, who, somehow, seem to have always known the name St. Francis of Assisi.
Granted, many might not know he was the first to receive the stigmata or that he can be credited for our Christmas-time Nativity scenes and the Stations of the Cross, but we all instinctively know the statue in the garden of a man wearing a tunic and holding a bird is that of the saint from Assisi.
When I was working on this issue to commemorate the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi instituted by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint’s passing, I wondered why this particular saint and his impact has endured for so many centuries.
Apart from the religious orders that serve as a present-day manifestation of the saint’s holiness and spirituality, his life and how he chose to live it provides timeless relatability and lasting lessons. Whether it be a closeness to God’s creation, a desire for peace, a longing to remove the tether of earthly possessions, or a yearning to serve the poor, St. Francis of Assisi offers the prime example.
To delve into the life of the saint in a 32-page magazine would be virtually impossible, but in an attempt to slightly “scratch the surface,” this issue features an article written by Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker, touching on a few areas why the saint continues to matter to the Church. The bishop has a special devotion to the saint, making frequent pilgrimages to Assisi and other sites associated with St. Francis of Assisi. Also included in this issue are four features showcasing the religious orders with Franciscan roots serving within the Diocese of Birmingham.
As Bishop Raica notes in his article for this issue, “There is something about Francis — his simplicity, his joy, his radical love — that speaks to the deepest longing of the human heart.” There is no doubt he is correct, and I think that is why so many from such a young age feel a closeness to him. “He reminds us,” notes the bishop, “that holiness is not reserved for a few, but it is a universal call available to all.” St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!