Chronology of the life of St Francis

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1182

Birth of Francis in Assisi. His parents are Pietro Bernardone and Madonna Pica.

1193-94

Birth of Claire in Assisi. His parents are Favarone de Offreduccio and Madonna Ortolana.

1198

In January, Pope Innocent III is elected.
In March, the citizens of Assisi besiege and destroy the Rocca, feudal and imperial fortress.

1202

War between Perugia and Assisi. In Collestrada Francis is taken prisoner and brought to Perugia.

1203

Francis, is released from captivity, and returns to Assisi.

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1204

Francis' long illness.

1205

a) Francis leaves for the Pulla with the army. In Espoleto he has the dream that makes him return to Assisi.
b) In the second half of the year the initial conversion of the Saint begins: he departs from friends, intensifies the life of solitude and prayer, frequents the company of the poor and lepers, "the kiss of the leper", goes on a pilgrimage to Rome, the Crucifix of St. Damien entrusts him to "repair his Church."

1206

In March, before the court of the bishop of Assisi, he renounces paternal property. He moves to Gubbio with the lepers. Return to Assisi, stay in St. Damien and wear the hermit's habit.

1207

He works in the restoration of the hermitages of San Damian, San Pedro and Saint Mary of the Angels, or the Porciúncula chappel.

1208

a) In April, when he heard Mass in the Porciuncula, he listens to the gospel of the sending of the disciples on mission, in which he discovers his evangelical and apostolic vocation.
b) Shortly after, the first 3 companions join him: Bernardo de Quintavalle, Pedro Cattani and Gil de Assisi.
c) They begin to mission for the Ancona Brand; new partners join them, and Francisco sends them to preach two by two.

1209

Francis writes the Rule ("way of life") that the Lord inspired. In the spring he goes to Rome with his 11 companions, and Pope Innocent III verbally approves it.

1210

The fraternity moves to the Porciuncula chappel.

1212

a) On March 18-19, on the night of Palm Sunday, religious consecration of Saint Claire in the Porciuncula, thus beginning the Second Franciscan Order or the Poor Clares. Clara stays in Benedictine monasteries until the beginning of May, when she moves to San Damian.

b) In the fall, Francisco embarks towards Syria, but the opposite winds make the attempt fail, and returns to Ancona.

1213-1214

Francis' journey through France and Spain, on the way to Morocco. A disease forces him to return to the Porciuncula.

1215

In November, he attended the Lateran Council IV.

1216

In the month of July, Innocent III dies and is followed by Honorius III, to whom Francisco asks for the "indulgence of the Porciuncula."

1217

On Pentecost, May 14, the first General Chapter is celebrated in the Porciuncula. The Order is divided into 12 Provinces and the Provincials are appointed.

1219

a) The General Chapter held at Pentecost, May 26, sends the 5 protomartyres of the Order to Morocco.
b) Francisco embarks for Acre and Damietta, and interviews the Sultan of Egypt.

1220

Francis hurriedly returns to Italy because of the problems that have arisen in the Order. At the request of the Saint, Honorius III appoints Cardinal Hugolino protector of the Order. Francisco retires from the government of the Order and appoints Pedro Cattani as Vicar of his.

1121

a) Brother Pedro Cattani dies in March and Brother Elías replaces him as Vicar of St Francis.
b) The Chapter of Pentecost studies the Rule written by Francis (called Unbullied Rule) and asks you to write a shorter one.

1223

a) Francis composes the definitive Rule in Fonte Colombo, which is accepted by the Chapter of Pentecost, June 11, and approved and confirmed by bull by Pope Honorius III on November 29.
b) On December 24-25, Christmas celebration in Greccio.

1224

From August 15 to September 29, Francis spends San Miguel's Lent on Mount Alverna, where the Sores of the Passion of Christ are printed. Then slowly return to Assisi, preaching on the way.

1224-1225

Francis suffers several diseases, including a serious ophthalmic problem, but continues his apostolic tour to preach to the people.

1225

March-April, composes in San Damian (Episcopal Palace of Assisi) the Canticle of Brother Sun.

1225-1226

Francisco undergoes several painful cures, in Assisi, in Rieti, and in Fonte Colombo.

1226

In April, his state of health worsens, being in Siena for a new treatment. Your health gets progressively worse. He is transferred to Assisi, where he is staying in the episcopal palace.

1226

a) When he feels sister death close, he asks to be taken to the Porciuncula. On Saturday, October 3, around 7 pm, Francisco dies at the age of 44.
b) On Sunday, October 4, in the morning, Francisco's body is transferred to Assisi, stopping at San Damian, where Claire and her sisters are, and is buried in the church of St George.

1227

On March 19, Pope Cardinal Hugolino, Protector of the Order and friend of San Francis, takes the name of Gregory IX.

1228

On July 16, Gregory IX canonizes Francis in Assisi.