My Encounter with Saint Francis of Assisi
an article by Joe Yannielli

Last weekend I visited Assisi, a small medieval village in Umbria, northern Italy. After wandering into the imposing Basilica di San Francesco, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a sign proclaiming "Peace" in over a dozen different languages. In fact, the Latin form, "PAX" was spelled out in large letters in the lawn just outside the church. I had visited many Italian basilicas, but never before encountered one with such a strong emphasis on peace. Intrigued, I decided to learn more about Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), for whom the church was named.

Born into a wealthy merchant family, Francis had a carefree youth until going off to fight in one of the frequent skirmishes between medieval Italian cities. He was captured by enemy forces and endured a year in prison. Shortly after his return, Francis had a religious vision. He gave all his money to a local beggar and began a new, more austere life. Despite being ridiculed by his friends and disowned by his father, he eventually founded an order of monks whose goal was to reform the powerful and often corrupt Catholic Church.

Francis believed in the unity of all living things, and that all life should be respected. He even referred to natural elements and to animals as his "brothers" and "sisters" (he is patron saint of animals and the environment). He called for peace among the Italian city-states, and during the bloody struggle between Christian Crusaders and Muslims in the Middle East he met in person with the Sultan of Egypt to promote friendship instead of conquests.

Today, the Franciscan monks in Assisi and elsewhere continue to embrace voluntary poverty, a respect for all life, and a belief in peace and universal brotherhood. Even though it is expressed through the form of the Christian belief system, I think that people from many different backgrounds today have much to learn from the legacy of Saint Francis.

The website of Franciscans International, a United Nations NGO, provides more information on the life of Saint Francis and what his followers are doing today.

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