The Life and Times of Saint Francis of Assisi

Born in Assisi, Umbria, Italy 1182 to Peter and Pica Bernadone, Saint Francis was christened John and later re-christened Francesco. He died October 13, 1226 and was canonized in the year 1228. Pope John Paul II declared him the Patron of Ecologists in 1979.
Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment. He is a lover of all of God's creations and his feast day is celebrated each year on October 4. He was the founder the Franciscan Order. He was a poor man who astounded and inspired the church by following everything that Jesus said and did without any hesitation and without a mite of self-importance.
In his youth Francis indulged himself in the finer things in life and sought as much pleasure as he could. …