Francis of Assisi was canonized as a saint two years after his death at the age of 44. He is the patron saint of animals, Ecology, Italy and Merchants. Many organizations passion themselves after the wonderful works he did and values he possessed. One such organization is Viterbo University who keeps the traditions of their Franciscan founders. The core values are contemplation, hospitality, integrity, stewardship and service (Viterbo University Strategic Plan , 2008). Born into a privileged life of wealth and luxury, Francis of Assisi became a troubled youth running about the streets, partying, singing to the ladies, and joining his friends in acts of vandalism and stealing. He joined the Assisi Army and after a battle, found himself at the age of 21, captured and in a prison awaiting his father to pay his ransom. After his return home and recovery form sickness and depression from the conditions he was kept in, Francis became engaged in the military again. During the nights prior to his first mission, he had several dreams, one …show more content…
He is the patron saint of animals, Ecology, Italy and Merchants. Many organizations passion themselves after the wonderful works he did and values he possessed. One such organization is Viterbo University who keeps the traditions of their Franciscan founders. The core values are contemplation, hospitality, integrity, stewardship and service (Viterbo University Strategic Plan , 2008). As I reflect upon my education and my values as a Catholic individual, I find contemplation within my life. Contemplation is the reflection upon the presence of God in our lives and work (Viterbo University Strategic Plan , 2008). Throughout my work as a nurse, I talk to people often about spirituality, religion and prayer. Fortunate to having the ability to spend time with my patients and their families, I am able to share beliefs and attitudes with
Augustine’s Confessions is a diverse blend of autobiographical accounts as well as philosophical, theological and critical analysis of the Christian Bible. Augustine treats his autobiography as an opportunity to recount his life and mentions how each event in his life has a religious and philosophical explanation. Augustine had many major events happen in his life but only 3 events would deem of extreme importance to his journey to faith. Theses major events were Book II how he describes that he considered his time of adolescence to be the most lurid and sinful period of his life, Book III how this becomes the lowest point in his relationship with God because his
He got his first chance when Assisi declared war on their longtime enemy, the nearby town of Perugia. When Francis was just barely twenty years old, he fought in the war between Assisi and Perugia and was taken prisoner. Most of the troops from Assisi were butchered in the fight. Only those wealthy enough to expect to be ransomed were taken prisoner. At last Francis was among the nobility like he always wanted to be, but chained in a harsh, dark dungeon. All accounts say that he never lost his happy manner in that horrible place. Finally, after a year in the dungeon, he was ransomed. Strangely, the experience didn't seem to change him. He gave himself to partying with as much joy and abandon as he had before the battle. That period shaped the young man's soul and the weaker his body became, the more deeply his sense of charity and love towards others took root in him. By the time he returned to Assisi, he was seriously ill. His mother's loving care and time itself brought him back to health, but the carefree life he had led before and which had started again by now, seemed empty to him. Driven by his dreams of being a soldier, he decided to follow a condottiere to the southern region of Apulia, but when he had gotten as far as Spoleto, the Lord appeared to him one night in a dream and ordered him to turn back. The words of God echoed in his mind like a summons. This marked the beginning of his gradual
Throughout my daily life I turn to him for help. He helps to relieve my stress and to assist me through my struggles. I am very excited for Sebastian to be my patron saint and to help me through the Confirmation process. He was martyred for his faith, so I admire him. His faith was so strong that he was willing to die rather than let go of his beliefs. In my opinion, he paid the ultimate price. I pray that Sebastian will help me have that same courage every day to speak the Lord’s word and to spread the Catholic faith. The bravery that Saint Sebastian showed is inspiration to me to live my life for Christ and through
Saint Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. His mother named him Giovanni after John the Baptist, but his father did not want his child to be a ‘Man of God’
In Augustine’s Confessions, he confesses many things of which we are all guilty; the greatest of which is his sadness of not having a relationship with God earlier in his life. He expressed to us that to neglect a relationship with God is far worse than the pity he felt for Dido. In reviewing his life, he had come to examine life and how there are temptations in this world that can keep us distracted. He tells to us how he became aware of this fact; everything is negligible except love for God, and his own guilt at not having found this truth sooner.
Francis spent his early years as the spoiled son of a merchant from the nouveau rich class. He was accustomed to violence and even went to war in a battle between Assisi and Perugia. This all changed later, as he become truly selfless. One of his friends noticed this sudden change in Francis and asked him, “Francis are you going to take a wife?” In response he said, “I will marry a nobler and fairer bride than you ever saw, who shall surpass all others in beauty and excel them in wisdom.” The lady he was referring to was Lady Poverty. He would go on to sell off all his possessions including his own horse and attempted to give the money to the decaying St. Damian Church which the priest would not accept. It is worth noting that the priest did not take the money because he found the change of heart within Francis startling. “The priest was amazed, and wondering at a change of circumstances incredibly sudden, refused to believe what he heard; and, thinking he was being hoaxed, he would not keep the offered money.” The skeptical reaction of the priest shows how radical and revolutionary Saint Francis’ generosity was, but also how rare a man like Francis was at a this point in
The mission of Siena Heights University, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all (Mission and vision, n.d.).
The early life of Pope John XXIII shaped his morality and future ideas, and his travelling made him tolerant towards other people, cultures and beliefs. He believed that “No one is excluded by love” and pursued this belief throughout is papacy, even visiting prisons in order to forgive those who had sinned,
Often, the “Extraction of Saints” is accompanied by much joviality on the part of the fraternity – lots of “oohs” and – “ah’s” for the members who are lucky enough to be honored with a famous Franciscan saint – like St. Francis or St. Clare – as their patrons.
Question 1: What elements in the life and work of Simone Weil, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, and some of the characters portrayed in the movies Dr. Ambrosio mentions speak to you most effectively about the qualities of the secular saint?
St. Francis of Assisi was born in Umbria in the year 1182. He was a child every father hoped for, he was filled with life, a determined and courageous individual. He was gifted with rather good looks, qualities that attracted friends and a gift of leadership. His father was an extremely wealthy merchant in Assisi. But this son, his favourite, was the one who broke Peter Bernardone’s heart. The boy turned on his father, and in a vicious event that eventually resulted into a public scene. St. Francis of Assisi stepped away from his father, his business and left his father in a state of immense emotional suffering.
While I was at my last job for a Jesuit University, I was introduced to Saint Ignatius of Loyola and his Ignatian
Who was Francis of Assisi? What was his background, and how did it influence the direction of Franciscan spirituality? Why was Francis' evangelical quest so successful? What in his teaching and his ways appealed to other Christians and new converts? How were his teaching subversive (or where they?)? You need to make references to the Little Flowers!
St Anthony is beloved throughout the world and is responsive to all people and all needs. His intercessory powers before our God are awesome.
In “The Life & Times of St. Francis,” St. Francis was born in Assisi and was raised in a church going family. In his younger years, he enlisted into the military until he eventually came back to the church. He dedicated his life to Christ and the church in 1207 and ultimately became a friar, a deacon, and a preacher in his adult years. St. Francis believed in the gospel and worshipping God. In 1210, he was the founder of the Franciscan movement which was made up of orders about the teachings and spiritual disciplines of the founder, associates, and followers. Moving forward to 1212, St. Francis dedicated his life to preaching and