Francis of Assisi, Saint

Saint (1182-1226), a noted Italian monk. He was born at Assisi and, though a traveler, he died there. He was a man of oratorical ability and of fervent piety, "The John Wesley of the thirteenth century, whom the church did not cast out." He was moved by compassion for the misery of the inhabitants of the Italian town. He gathered a few friends about him, walked to Rome to secure the permission of Pope Innocent III, and organized the Franciscan order of friars, or brothers. They went forth two and two, clad in the garb of poverty. They were religious workers, and labored to heal both body and soul--to relieve misery. Francis was declared a saint by Gregory IX in 1288. October fourth, the anniversary of his death, is observed as the day of St. Francis.