Authors by alphabet: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Francis of Assisi (Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone)

(1181/1182 – 1226) Though baptized as Giovanni Bernardone he was commonly known as Francesco ("the Frenchman"), or St. Francis of Assisi. An Italian Catholic friar and preacher, and religious leader who founded the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. He is known as the patron saint of animals, birds, the environment and is one of the two patron saints of Italy (with Catherine of Siena). Though he was never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.

For it is in giving that we receive.

Grant me the treasure of sublime poverty: permit the distinctive sign of our order to be that it does not possess anything of its own beneath the sun, for the glory of your name, and that it have no other patrimony than begging.

I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.

If a superior give any order to one who is under him which is against that man's conscience, although he do not obey it yet he shall not be dismissed.

If God can work through me, he can work through anyone.

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look.