St.Francis of Assisi, Our Patron.

Francis, the son of a rich textile merchant was born in 1182 in Assisi,Italy.As a young man he took active part in the city’s commercial,political and social life.While taking part in the war between Assisi and the nearby city of Perugia,he was captured and he spent almost two years from 1202 to 1203 in an enemy prison.The human suffering he saw during the war ,made him think deeply about the meaning and the purpose of life.

St .Francis of Assisi is remembered chiefly for his love for all living beings.He is recognized as the Patron of Ecology by U.N..His feast falls on 4th October every year.

Adopting absolute poverty as his ideal, he started preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. In 1209, he founded the Franciscan Order.Many of his disciples became Priests, but he remained as a Brother.

In 1224, while Francis was praying on Mount Alvenia, the five wounds resembling those suffered by jesus, the stigmata, appeared on his body.Two years later in 1226, Francis died in Portiuncula Chapel, near Assisi. He was canonized in 1228.