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Animal
House Folly
Farm Blog
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"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who deal likewise with their fellow men."-St. Francis of Assisi Francis of Assisi was born in Umbria in 1182 to a prosperous merchantile family. Although it was intended he follow his father into trade the worldly Francis dreamed of being a troubadour or knight. In 1201 he took part in an attack on Perugia where he was captured and kept hostage for a year. During his captivity he became extremely ill and it was then that his mind began to turn to religion. Although Francis took part in another military expedition in 1205 he dreamed that God had called him to his service so returned to Assisi where he began caring for the sick and dispossessed. In 1206 he experienced a vision where Christ called on him to repair the Church of San Damiano so he resolved to become a hermit and undertake the work himself. However his father was so appalled and embarrassed by his son's behaviour that he disinherited him. Francis is then said to have given up all his possessions, even removing his clothes and laying them at his father’s feet before walking away naked, wedded “to Lady Poverty”. After two years Francis felt impelled to preach and his doctrine of poverty and simplicity soon attracted followers. When these reached eleven in number he gave them a short Rule and formed a brotherhood called the Friars Minor. Travelling throughout Italy the brothers encouraged people to turn from worldly and material riches. One day Francis and some companions were travelling down a road when they passed a tree full of birds. Running forward excitedly he said "My brothers, birds, you should praise your Creator very much and always love him; he gave you feathers to clothe you, wings so that you can fly, and whatever else was necessary for you. God made you noble among his creatures, and he gave you a home in the purity of the air; though you neither sow nor reap, he nevertheless protects and governs you without any solicitude on your part." According to a witness the birds stretched their necks and extended their wings towards Francis as he walked amongst them touching and blessing them. On another occasion a brother brought Francis a rabbit that had been caught in a trap. He advised it to be much more alert in future and set it down on the ground expecting it to run away. Instead it jumped back into his lap. Francis then took it into the woods and set it free but the rabbit followed him back to his seat and once more hopped onto his knee. Finally a brother took the animal away deep into the woods and this time it did not return. Later Francis heard that in the town of Gubbio there was a wolf so ferocious that it was not only killing the town’s livestock but its inhabitants as well. Although the townspeople took up arms to kill it anyone who went against the wolf perished. Francis felt great compassion for both the town and the animal so decided to go outside the village walls to meet with it. As he walked beyond the town's walls the wolf ran out to attack St Francis. However when he made the sign of the cross and called “Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone.” the wolf lay down at his feet. Francis then asked the animal to make peace with the people of Gubbio and the past would be forgiven. By this time a crowd had gathered and to their amazement the wolf assented to the pact by placing its paw in Francis’ hand. On returning to the town with the wolf following behind he preached a sermon before offering the townspeople peace if they in return promised to feed the wolf. They agreed to this and for two years the wolf lived happily in the town, going from door to door for food. When it finally died of old age the people of Gubbio deeply mourned its passing. Francis called animals and birds his brothers and sisters and was tender and loving to all living things. He would even remove worms from the road rather than trample them. Wounded or sick animals would come to him for comfort and protection. St Francis was well ahead of his time in believing that all life was equal and deserving of being treated with dignity and compassion. In time the Franciscan brotherhood became very large and organised with Francis having to delegate responsibility to others. He eventually gave up leadership of the order and went to live in the mountains to pray and fast, later receiving the signs of the stigmata. Francis of Assisi died in Porziuncula on October 3 1226. October 4 is now recognised as St Francis Day and on the first Sunday of the month Christians around the world celebrate the patron saint of animals and the environment by having their pets blessed in special church services. Cats, dogs, rabbits, lamas, donkeys and all other creatures great and small gather together in remembrance of a remarkable individual and animal lover. ©Jen Longshaw
2001-2006 Please do not copy in any manner, print or electronic,
without permission from the author.
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