Saint Francis The Poor

When reflecting on today’s first reading from Job and today’s feast of Saint Francis, I had a realization: We oftentimes feel sorry for Job losing all his possessions, yet Francis chose the life of Job willingly. Job had no choice in losing everything he had, but Francis in contrast gave up everything he had in order to become more like Christ who was poor.

This dramatic renunciation of wordly goods by Francis is seen concretely in his meeting with the bishop of Assisi in 1206. Francis’ father, after having locked up Francis at home, took his son to the Bishop of Assisi hoping the bishop would reason with him. To the father’s chagrin, a contemporary account of Francis’ life records:

“When he had been led before the bishop, Francis neither delayed nor explained himself, but simply stripped off his clothes and threw them aside, giving them back to his father. He did not even keep his trousers, but stood there in front of everyone completely naked. The bishop, sensing his intention and admiring his constancy, rose and wrapped his arms around Francis, covering him with his own robe. He saw clearly that Francis was divinely inspired and that his action contained a mystery. Thus he became Francis’ helper, cherishing and comforting him.”

Saint Francis desired to live as a beggar trusting entirely in God’s providence and mercy. He longed to strip away the distractions of power and wealth which he found in certain areas of the church. The way of life of Francis and his followers did not fit into any contemporary structures of the Church, so Pope Innocent III (at first reluctantly), recognized them as a new type of religious order. Rather than living in wealthy and scholarly monasteries like Benedictines, the followers of Francis would roam the streets begging at the service of the poor.

It is said that before dying on October 3rd, 1228, Francis asked to be buried on the hillside of Assisi where thieves and wrong-doers had been buried. He wished to be among thieves as Christ had died among thieves. Later than same year however the hill where he was buried began to be transformed into the magnificent Basilica of Saint Francis which still contains today the remains of the saint and his first faithful disciples.

Let us Pray.

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis
was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility,
grant that, by walking in Francis’ footsteps,
we may follow your Son,
and, through joyful charity,
come to be united with you.

Amen.

Saint Francis the Poor