biography
| name: |
Francis of Assisi, St
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originally Giovanni Bernardone
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pronunciation:
[aseezee]
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (?1181–1226)
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| biography:
| Founder of the Franciscan Order, born in Assisi, C Italy. In 1205 he left his worldly life, devoting himself to the care of the poor and the sick, and living as a hermit. By 1210 he had a brotherhood of 11 for which he drew up a rule which became the Franciscan way of life, in which all property is repudiated. By 1219 the order had 5000 members. He preached widely in Europe and the Holy Land, and on returning to Italy he is said to have received on his body the marks (stigmata) of the wounds of Christ (1224). He was canonized in 1228. He is often represented in art among animals and birds, which he called his sisters and brothers. Feast day 4 October. |
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