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On October 4th, the Church celebrates the feast of one of the most beloved saints in history: Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in Assisi in Umbria at the end of the twelfth century. His father was a prosperous merchant, and Francis planned to follow him in his trade, but early in his life, he had a conversion of faith. This conversion to God led to a rift between them and in anger and frustration, his father brought him before the bishop to try to get through to him. Instead of bringing him around to his father’s way of thinking, Francis abandoned all his rights and worldly possessions, including his clothes, and went off to serve God.

Two years later he felt God was calling him to preach, and he was soon joined by others who were drawn to his charismatic proclamation of the Gospel and love of God. He and his companions traveled throughout the Italian countryside, preaching Jesus Christ. In his life and his preaching, Francis emphasized simplicity, poverty and the glory of God’s creation.

One of Francis's most famous sermons is one he gave to a flock of birds. One day while Francis and some friars were traveling along a road, Francis saw a tree full of birds and was moved to preach to them of God’s goodness: “My brothers, the birds, you should love your creator deeply and praise him always. He has given you feathers to wear, wings with which to fly, and what ever else you need. He has made you noble among his creatures and given you a dwelling in the pure air. You neither sow nor reap, yet he nevertheless protects and governs you without any anxiety on your part.” Francis’ understanding of the beauty of all creation as a gift from God to be praised and appreciated leaves a strong lesson for us in seeing God’s glory all around us. Every day we are surrounded by nature — whether it be the sun or rain, or even snow. All the gifts of nature are testaments to God’s glory and to His endless gifts to the world.

Perhaps no other saint has affected the world in as many varied ways as St. Francis of Assisi, who turned from worldly wealth to embrace a life of poverty, concern for the poor and the sick, joyful proclamation of the Gospel and so delighted in God's works as revealed in nature. Of this love of all creation, Thomas of Celano, a contemporary of Francis, wrote: “How great a gladness do you think the beauty of the flowers brought to his mind when he saw the shape of their beauty and perceived the odor of their sweetness? ...When he found an abundance of flowers, he preached to them and invited them to praise the Lord as though they were endowed with reason. In the same way he exhorted with the sincerest purity cornfields and vineyards, stones and forests and all the beautiful things of the fields, fountains of water and the green things of the gardens, earth and fire, air and wind, to love God and serve him willingly. Finally, he called all creatures brother, and in a most extraordinary manner never experienced by others, he discerned the hidden things of nature with his sensitive heart, as one who had already escaped into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God.”

In keeping with Francis’ love for nature, we at St. Olaf are going to celebrate his feast day, October 4, in the garden that bears his name — Assisi Park — on the corner of 9th Street and 2nd Avenue. Following the noon Mass and the completion of our parish novena to St. Francis which begins on Wednesday, September 26, we will gather for refreshments and hospitality in a way which Francis would approve — amid God’s glory of creation and nature, even in the heart of downtown.

Novena Prayer to St. Francis

Heavenly Father, You have given us the saints to be our models, patrons and friends. Today we turn to Saint Francis of Assisi and, as You helped him reflect the image of Christ through his life of poverty and humility, grant us through his intercession the graces we so much need for soul and body. Especially during this novena we ask for: [mention intention here]. We also ask Your blessings on all those whom we love. May the example of Saint Francis inspire us to grow in holiness as we imitate his joyful love. Grant what we ask in Your merciful love, through the merits of Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.