Saint Francis of Assisi Patron Saint of Animals

Saint Francis of Assisi Patron Saint of Animals

Brother Leo, a companion of Patron Saint Francis of Assisi, left writing (preserved at Assisi) that is a clear and simple account of the miracle of St. Francis receiving the stigmata. Two years before his death, in August 1224, on the top of Mt. Alverna where he had gone to fast of forty days in honor of the archangel Michael (commonly called Michaelmas) the sufferings of Christ became the focus of St. Francis Patron's meditations more so than in previous times. He saw what appeared as a seraph with six bright wings gleaming like a fire descending from heaven. As this figure approached in swift flight it appeared not only winged but also crucified. The sight of it amazed St. Francis and he was joyous with the sight of Christ appearing to him so graciously and intimately. When the vision vanished after a mysterious and intimate conversation between Francis and our Lord Jesus left Francis in ecstasy in his soul. Externally, however, he retained marks on his body like those of the Crucified Christ. The figures of the nails appeared immediately on his hands and feet. The heads of the nails were inside his hands but on top of his feet with their points extending through to the opposite side. His right side too showed a blood-red wound as if it had been pierced by a lance where blood flowed frequently.

Because of this new unheard of and astounding miracle, St. Francis Patron came down from the mountain a new man adorned with the Sacred Stigmata, bearing the image of the Crucified in his body, not made by a craftsman in wood or stone but fashioned by the hand of the living God.

There were earlier times when St. Francis statehood was prevalent in his treatment and kinship with animals; his unerring distribution of passion to the poor and the teaching of his brethren. He wanted to persuade the emperor to make a special law that men should provide well for the birds and the beasts, as well as for the poor, so that all might have occasion to rejoice in the Lord.

There are countless stories of how St. Francis Protector of Animals tamed the wild beasts, grew kinship with birds or paid homage to flowers and referred to Brother Sun (or life itself) and Sister Moon (the night or a direct referral to his friend and fellow patron Saint Clare of Assisi.) Many stories of Saint Francis of Assisi were gathered in the Little Flowers of Saint Francis written by Brother Ugolino

During the Christmastide of 1223 St. Francis Patron conceived the idea of celebrating the Nativity by reproducing the stable of Bethlehem in a church at Greccio. Because of the popularity of that event St. Francis has become regarded as having inaugurated the devotion to the Crib. Christmas appears to be an additional feast of Francis. It is said when the hay from the manger built inside the church was saved and later fed to ailing animals those animals recovered their illness.