" Francis, the son of a prosperous textile merchant, was born in 1182 A.D. in Assisi, Italy. As a young man he took active part in the city's commercial, political and social life. During the war between Assisi and the nearly city of Perugia, he was captured and he had to spent almost 2 years from 1202 to 1203 in an enemy prison. The suffering he saw during the war made him think deeply about the meaning and the purpose of life.

In 1205, he had a vision of Jesus Christ which changed his life entirely, and he began to look upon God as his Heavenly Father. Thereafter, he rejected his inheritance and devoted his life solely to serving the poor and tried his best to built the spirituality of the church from within. He showed genuine concern and deep love for all creations of God. It is believed that he understood the inter relationship and mutual dependence of all living beings and the perfect harmony and balance in nature.

Adopting absolute poverty as his ideal, he started preaching the Gospel and healing the sick in 1209, he founded the Franciscan order. Many of his disciples became priests, but he remained a Brother. In 1212, he travelled to Syria, but the was ship wrecked on the coast of Yugoslavia. From there he went to Morocco and met the Prince. In 1219, he accompanied the crusaders to Egypt. In 1220, he returned to Italy and continued his preaching.

In 1224, while Francis was praying on Mount Alverna, the five wounds resembling those suffered by Jesus, the Stigmata, appeared on his body. Two years later in 1226, Francis died in Portincula Chapel, near Assisi. He was canonized in 1228.

St.Francis of Assisi is remembered chiefly for his love for all living things. He is recognized as the Patron Saint of Ecology by the U.N, his feast day is celebrated on the 4th of October, every year."

Let us join our hand and pray with him.
"Lord, make us instruments of your peace."