St. Francis remembered

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 19, 6 October 1987, Page 13

St. Francis remembered

The following is a brief outline of the life of St Francis of Assisi submitted by Father Tomasi. St Francis is one of history's best known animal lovers, and this week is World Animal Week. St Francis of Assisi, Founder of the great Religious Order known as the Franciscans was born in Assisi in 1181 and died in 1226 at the age of 45. So he achieved a great deal in a very short time. His feast day is celebrated on 4 October. Poverty, humility and evangelical freedom were the hallmarks of his spirituality, a spirituality that has been universally acclaimed. His simplicity, directness, single-mindedness and the lyrical qualities of his life has an appeal to our generation that is difficult to resist. However, we would do him a great injustice if we considered him just an inspired individualist for he was a man of tremendous spiritual insight and power whose consuming love for Jesus Christ and redeemed creation found expression in all he said and did. During the past 100 years

or so admiration for St Francis has been ' widespread and sponta-1 neous not only among Christians but many others too. He has indeed, on occasions, been acclaimed for reasons that would have startled him and moved him to protest. It is love of God and God's handiwork as seen in redeemed creation that has won him the affection of countless people. The wonders of nature and the beauty of animals and birds were seen by St. Francis as shadowy reflections of the intrinsic and essential beauty of God. Animals, birds and indeed nature in general appealed to his sense of wonder, perhaps more than most others of his time, and raised his mind and heart to God in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for these wonderful and beautiful gifts indeed so many of us take for granted. It is not surprising that he is looked upon as the Saint who is the special lover and protector of animals and birds. I am sure it would greatly please him if our interest in animals and birds led us to recall and reflect upon the beauty and goodness of the God who gives them to us.