About St Francis

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In a military campaign, the Lord appeared to Francis in a dream, and his life changed completely. Back home, he withdrew more and more and devoted himself to his faith, but his father thought little of his son's conversion. Although the family had a lot of money, Francis of Assisi tried to live poorly. The dispute between father and son came to an end in 1207 in court, when Francis renounced his inheritance and any support from him. From now on he wanted to live according to the example of Jesus Christ "sine glossa" from Latin, this means "without additions and changes".

Francis of Assisi therefore lived in voluntary poverty. He begged for food and lived as a so-called leper outside the city walls. Over time, other brothers joined his way of life. Like him, they dressed in simple robes, went barefoot, and lived without money.

Through Pope Innocent III, Francis obtained a confirmation from God for their way of life. This approval is considered the founding of the Franciscan order. The Minor brothers traveled around, but Francis' health deteriorated rapidly, so he had to surrender the Order's leadership as a General Minister, retiring to Mount  Della Verna.

When he felt that his death was approaching, he traveled one last time to the Portiuncula Church, where he died on October 3, 1226. Two years later, Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis.