François d’Assise
1181-1226 13th century Feast day: October 4
Poverty as radical freedom, creation as family.
Who was François d’Assise?
Son of a wealthy merchant of Assisi, he renounced his fortune in 1208 to marry "Lady Poverty." Founder of the Friars Minor. First recorded stigmatization in Christian history. His Canticle of the Creatures, written two years before his death, is one of the earliest texts of Italian literature, and one of the most joyful ever written by someone who knew they were dying.
In their own words
Praised be You, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.