The Lord revealed a greeting to me that we should say: “May the Lord give you peace.” (St. Francis)
Son of Peter and Pica Bernardone, Francis (christened John after St. John the Baptist) took the Gospel in literal fashion after spending a carefree youth in his native Assisi (Umbria, Italy). In 1208, he gathered some few followers into a fraternity, and in 1209, got approval for his Gospel way of life from Innocent III. Radical poverty, fraternity, prayer and itinerant preaching of the Gospel characterised his Rule of life. He was instrumental in initiating St. Clare of Assisi into a fully contemplative form of life. His inner dedication to the crucified Christ resulted in his bearing the marks of the Passion in his body (1224). Simplicity, joyfulness, fidelity to the Church, love of all creation singled him out in his own time. Gradually accepting death, Francis died in 1226, and was canonised in 1228 by Gregory IX (formerly Cardinal Ugolino di Segni).
First Reading: Sir. 50: 1, 3-4, 6-7; Second Reading: Gal. 6: 14-18; Gospel: Mt.11: 25-30
