If your family or children participated in an All Saints Day celebration chances are you would have seen a few children donned in long brown robes with a white rope tied about their waist. St. Francis’ love of nature and animals captivates the hearts of many children, including my own son. The young love to hear about the legend of taming the wolf of Gubbio and his ability of speaking to other animals.
St. Francis was born into wealth and privilege and lived a worldly life in pursuit of pleasure. He continually wanted more, always seeking out riches and fame. He became a knight, but as he was leaving for battle he had a dream in which God told him the life he was leading was wrong and that he must return home. Humiliated and laughed at by his father, St. Francis slowly began his conversion to Christ.
One day when St. Francis was going out to pray he came upon San Damiano, a church that was crumbling because of its age. As he knelt before the Crucifix he heard a voice coming from the cross telling him three times, “Francis, rebuild my Church.” St. Francis understood the command as a need to fix and repair the church building, which he began to do with his own hands, not realizing that what God wanted was a conversion of hearts.
St. Francis later became a mystic and received the stigmata, the wounds that Christ endured during his Crucifixion. He lived a life of poverty and simplicity and founded the Franciscan Order. He died at the age of 45 and we celebrate his Feast Day on October 4.
There are many attributes and virtues that we can glean from the life of St. Francis and strive to emulate them in our own lives. He was a man of action and perhaps you are familiar with his famous quote: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” In a world that is hurting, seeking prestige and wealth let us rebuild the Church by the actions of our own faith. While it may seem that what we do in our own family or neighborhood is miniscule, it is the smallest acts of showing Christ’s love that can transform hearts. By our own Christian witness we can evangelize and bring souls to Christ.
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
– St. Francis of Assisi
Join the Family, during Relevant Radio’s Pledge Drive in helping to rebuild the Church and share the love and good news of the Gospel. As a thank-you gift for your donation of $600-1,199, you will receive a striking statue of St. Francis. This statue is inspired by the carving style and in the color tones of the old masters of northern Italy. It would make a beautiful Christmas gift or a gift for someone who will be receiving a Sacrament in the coming year. A reminder to each one of us, of our mission and Baptismal call to build up the Church, the Body of Christ.
If you give to Relevant Radio at the $600-1,199 level TODAY ONLY, you will receive this St. Francis Statue! Don’t miss your chance to Join the Family!
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