The news of Francis quickly became widespread and his radicality of embracing Christ-like poverty lead to some thinking he was just madman and others acknowledging him as a true disciple of Jesus. On the contrary, the church at that time was gradually deviating from the values of Christ with its accumulating riches and power. It then became Francis’s God-given mission to restore the original values of Christ to the slowly-degenerating church. Thousands were drawn to his charismatic sermons, but a committed few became his followers which would now be known as the Franciscan Friars. What intrigued people the most was that these sermons not only moved village-dwellers but their animals too! Because of this, Francis soon acquired the nickname of “God’s Fool”.
Francis preaches to a flock of birds
When Francis was travelling through the Spoleto Valley, he chanced upon an area close to Bevagna where a large flock of birds assembled. Driven by love for his Creator and all creation, Francis hastened to greet the birds as if of equal reason. Seeing that the birds did not depart, he went amongst them touching their bodies playfully with his robe. With great awe and joy, he exhorted the creatures to hear the Word of God:
ST. FRANCIS ADDRESSING THE BIRDS © AMANDA – FLICKR | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
‘My brother birds, you should greatly praise your Creator and love Him always. He clothed you with feathers and gave you wings for flying. Among all His creatures He made you free and gave you the purity of the air. You neither sow nor reap, He nevertheless governs you without your least care.’
It was recorded that the birds remained throughout his sermon and gestured back by stretching their necks and spreading their wings and only departed after he blessed them with the sign of the cross.
The Wolf of Gubbio
FRANCIS AND THE WOLF OF GUBBIO MOSAIC © JIM FOREST – FLICKR | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
When Francis was visiting the small town of Gubbio, Italy, he went out to meet the notorious wolf who had claimed the lives of several villagers in that town. When Francis went out to meet the wolf, it was ready to charge and attack him with its mouth wide open. Making the sign of the cross over the wolf, Francis says: “Come here, Brother Wolf. I command you on behalf of Christ that you do no harm to me or to anyone.”
At once, the wolf stopped in its tracks and closed its mouth, threw itself at the feet of the saint and approached him upon his command. Francis then scolded ‘Brother Wolf’ for destroying and killing the creatures of God.
“The whole town is complaining about you, but I want to make peace between you and the people. And so I promise that I will have food given to you regularly, Brother Wolf, by the people of this town so that you will no longer suffer hunger. And I want you, Brother Wolf, to promise that you will never harm any human person or animal.”
The wolf bowed its head in agreement. The townspeople complied and promised to feed the wolf regularly and Francis asked the wolf to promise that it would no longer hurt the people of Gubbio and its animals. To the people’s amazement, the wolf lifted and placed its right paw on Francis’ hand. When the people saw this, they rejoiced and praised God for blessing them with Francis who brought peace in their little town.
Check out humansociety.org. for more anecdotes of St. Francis’ encounters with animals.