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Saint Francis of Assisi Patron Saint of Animals
Brother Leo, a companion of Patron Saint Francis of Assisi, left
writing (preserved at Assisi) that is a clear and simple account
of the miracle of St. Francis receiving the stigmata. Two years
before his death, in August 1224, on the top of Mt. Alverna where
he had gone to fast of forty days in honor of the archangel Michael
(commonly called Michaelmas) the sufferings of Christ became the
focus of St. Francis Patron's meditations more so than in previous
times. He saw what appeared as a seraph with six bright wings
gleaming like a fire descending from heaven. As this figure approached
in swift flight it appeared not only winged but also crucified.
The sight of it amazed St. Francis and he was joyous with the
sight of Christ appearing to him so graciously and intimately.
When the vision vanished after a mysterious and intimate conversation
between Francis and our Lord Jesus left Francis in ecstasy in
his soul. Externally, however, he retained marks on his body like
those of the Crucified Christ. The figures of the nails appeared
immediately on his hands and feet. The heads of the nails were
inside his hands but on top of his feet with their points extending
through to the opposite side. His right side too showed a blood-red
wound as if it had been pierced by a lance where blood flowed
frequently.
Because of this new unheard of and astounding miracle, St. Francis
Patron came down from the mountain a new man adorned with the
Sacred Stigmata, bearing the image of the Crucified in his body,
not made by a craftsman in wood or stone but fashioned by the
hand of the living God.
There were earlier times when St. Francis statehood was prevalent
in his treatment and kinship with animals; his unerring distribution
of passion to the poor and the teaching of his brethren. He wanted
to persuade the emperor to make a special law that men should
provide well for the birds and the beasts, as well as for the
poor, so that all might have occasion to rejoice in the Lord.
There are countless stories of how St. Francis Protector of
Animals tamed the wild beasts, grew kinship with birds or
paid homage to flowers and referred to Brother Sun (or life itself)
and Sister Moon (the night or a direct referral to his friend
and fellow patron Saint Clare of Assisi.) Many stories of Saint
Francis of Assisi were gathered in the Little Flowers of Saint
Francis written by Brother Ugolino
During the Christmastide of 1223 St. Francis Patron conceived
the idea of celebrating the Nativity by reproducing the stable
of Bethlehem in a church at Greccio. Because of the popularity
of that event St. Francis has become regarded as having inaugurated
the devotion to the Crib. Christmas appears to be an additional
feast of Francis. It is said when the hay from the manger built
inside the church was saved and later fed to ailing animals those
animals recovered their illness.
Patronage
patron saint against dying alone
patron saint against fire
patron saint of animal welfare societies
patron saint of animals
patron saint of Assisi, Italy
patron saint of birds
patron saint of Catholic Action
patron saint of Colorado
patron saint of Denver, Colorado, archdiocese of
patron saint of ecologists
patron saint of ecology
patron saint of environment
patron saint of environmentalism
patron saint of environmentalists
patron saint of families
patron saint of Franciscan Order
patron saint of Freising, Germany
patron saint of Italy
patron saint of Kottapuram, India, diocese of
patron saint of lace makers
patron saint of lace workers
patron saint of Lancaster, England, diocese of
patron saint of Massa, Italy
patron saint of merchants
patron saint of Metuchen, New Jersey, diocese of
patron saint of Nambe Indian Pueblo
patron saint of needle workers
patron saint of peace
patron saint of Quibdo, Choco, Colombia
patron saint of Salina, Kansas, diocese of
patron saint of San Francisco, California, archdiocese of
patron saint of San Pawl il-Bahar, Malta
patron saint of Sante Fe, New Mexico
patron saint of Sante Fe, New Mexico, archdiocese of
patron saint of Sorbo, Italy
patron saint of tapestry workers
patron saint of zoos
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