On this day in the year 1226 Giovanni Francesco Bernardone died. Yes, that was the name of today's saint before his father started calling him Francisco.
Perhaps Francis could be a model for young men considering his way of living during his later teens and early twenties. He was quite the young man in many ways.
In his early twenties he joined in the battle against the Perugians. He ended up in a Perugian prison for a year. Illness took over for a while. During his hospitalization his life began to change. His story at this point is very much like Ignatius Loyola's. For Francis it would require another venture in chivalry. One night he had a dream in which he was told to return to Assisi ... which he did immediately. It was then that he began his serious journey that led him to become the saint he is today.
Although a man from a relatively wealthy family, Francis became a devotee of poverty and lover of the poor.
Perhaps we might take some time today to consider his example. We do not need to give away everything we have. We don't have to adopt a new lifestyle although the current financial realities might make it seem that way. Rather, like Francis we might consider excess. Do we live in excess? Is our happiness found only in having anything we want?
Consider this saint in light of these questions. Consider these questions in light of this saint.
