Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) October 4- Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who bore the stigmata of Christ and founded the religious order of the Franciscans.Born the son of a wealthy merchant, Francis’ life changed when a failed military expedition led to his imprisonment and breakdown. Once home, Francis rediscovered God in the beauty of nature and the ugliness of human suffering, caring for lepers, praying in the little church of San Damiano, whose crucified Jesus he heard calling, “Repair my house, Francis, which is falling into ruins.” Francis sold his possessions—and his fathers to fulfill this command. When his father objected, Francis disrobed: “I return the clothes, your name, and all you gave me: God alone is my Father now.” Francis indeed helped rebuild the universal Church, dying at forty-four, he viewed all creation as part of a single family, famously preaching to birds and calling animals his brothers and sisters. He is the patron saint of animals and ecology.