St Francis of Assisi

Living in Italy for over two years, I have had numerous opportunities to visit the pilgrimage place of Assisi. It's a beautiful place not because of the medieval architecture, nor the wonderful view from upon the hill, but because of the great saint that resided there and example that he gave.

San Francesco, St Francis, is probably most famous as the patron saint of animals, as he showed love and compassion to all creatures, befriending them all and showing equality. He was known for seeing all life as his brothers and sisters to whom we share a common father. He is famous for taming an angry wolf and arranging that he not terrorize the local villagers any more, who in return would provide food for the wolf.

There is a beautiful film showing his life called Brother Sun Sister Moon. This film touches the heart and helps one to see that a simple life based on higher spiritual values is full of auspiciousness, and that by becoming a selfless servant one can attain real peace and joy.

Learn more about St Francis here.
In Assisi, one can still find the order of monks that descend from St Francis. They are in charge of the Basilica and very nice to speak to, although I was surprised that they eat meat, considering the mood of their saintly founder. They wear a rope around their waist that contains 3 knots representing; chastity, poverty and obedience.

Here is a special prayer that is worth deep meditation

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving

that we receive;

it is in pardoning

that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying

that we are born to eternal life.