Is there any Saint who followed Christ more closely than Saint Francis of Assisi?

No saint in heaven imitated Jesus Christ as closely and as radically as St. Francis of Assisi.  When the world looks for an image of the Gospel lived to the letter, it so often turns to Francis, the little poor man of Assisi.  His life is a mirror of Christ’s poverty, humility, and love for all creation.

Francis was born in 1181 to a wealthy cloth merchant.  As a young man he loved fine clothes, music, and dreams of being a knight.  But God had other plans.  In prayer before the crucifix of San Damiano, he heard Christ say: “Francis, rebuild my Church, which is falling into ruin.”  At first, he thought it meant repairing that small chapel stone by stone. Later he realized it meant something far deeper: to renew the whole Church by living the Gospel in its purity and joy.

He embraced poverty, not as misery, but as freedom—freedom to rely completely on God. He stripped off his rich garments in front of the bishop and gave them back to his father, saying, “From now on I can truly say, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.’” He lived with the lepers, kissed their wounds, and discovered Christ in the outcasts.  His joy was contagious.  Soon, companions gathered around him, and the Franciscan Order was born—men who would own nothing, preach peace, and proclaim the Kingdom of God by their very lives.

Francis loved Christ crucified with all his heart.  He bore in his body the wounds of Jesus—the stigmata—signs that he was conformed, even physically, to the suffering love of the Saviour. Like Jesus, Francis was gentle, humble, and utterly given to the Father’s will.

Francis never became a priest. He remained a deacon all his life. Why? Because he believed the priesthood required a purity so great that only the holiest souls could bear it.  Once, an angel told him that if he wanted to be a priest, he must be as pure as the water cruet he carried at Mass.  Francis understood this as a warning that his calling was not to the priesthood, but to live as a humble brother and servant of all.

Yet no one revered priests and the Eucharist more than Francis. He was once asked: “Francis if you were to meet at the same time a priest and a angel whom would first greet the priest?”  He said, “I would first kneel down and kiss the priest’s hand and then greet the angel.  Because no angel can give me the Body of Christ as a priest can.”

This reverence marked his whole life.  Once, while speaking to a crowd, he was told: “See that man Francis he is priest but an evil one.  Francis immediately went over to that priest. Taking his hands, he kissed them and said: “Whether he is evil or not, I do not know.  But on thing I do know that these hands have touched the Body of my Lord.”  Such was his faith in the mystery of the Eucharist and the sacred dignity of the priesthood.

But perhaps what strikes us most today is his extraordinary love for creation.  Francis saw the whole universe as a family: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Fire, Sister Water.  He recognized in every creature the fingerprints of God.  That is why the Church has named him the Patron Saint of Ecology.  He teaches us that creation is not something to be exploited, but something to be cherished, cared for, and reverenced—because through creation we glimpse the Creator.

In a world suffering from pollution, climate change, and a disregard for the beauty of God’s gift, Francis calls us back to simplicity.  He reminds us that when we care for the earth, we are caring for the poor, who suffer most when nature is destroyed.  He reminds us that when we protect creation, we are praising the Creator.

Francis’ life is a living commentary on the Gospel.  He shows us that holiness is not complicated: it is simply taking Jesus at His word.  To love God above all things, to love the poor, to rejoice always, to live lightly on this earth, to treat all creatures with respect, and to make Christ visible in our lives.

My friends, on this feast of St. Francis, let us ask ourselves: where can we simplify our lives?  Where can we live more in harmony with God, with others, and with creation?  Where can we reflect more clearly the face of Jesus, as Francis did?

May this great saint inspire us to see Christ in the poor, to rejoice in the beauty of creation, and to live the Gospel with joy.  And may his prayer become ours: “Praised be You, my Lord, through all Your creatures.”

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. Amen.

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