Our Patron

Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi in a merchant family. His wealth and love of life made the leader of Assisi’s youth and filled him with dreams of grandeur. A meeting with a leper and hearing a voice from the cross of San Damiano resulted in his conversion, renunciation of his entire possessions and his embarkation on a life of the poor, itinerant preacher proclaiming the message of penance and peace. Francis’ 18 years of life doing penance and preaching conversion of heart came to an end on 3 October 1226. Yet the person of Assisi still captures human hearts.

Francis’ greeting “May the Lord gives you peace!” was no empty platitude but the results of an inner life at peace with itself, with God and the world. Francis exhorts his followers:

“Since you speak of peace, all the more so you must have it in your hearts. Let none be provoked to anger or scandal by you, but rather may they be drawn to peace and goodwill,to concord through your gentleness. We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home who have lost their way.”

If the world follows Francis’ way neither the plunder of nature, nor the devastation of individual lives would ever happen.