MODERN DAY ASSISI, BIRTHPLACE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI © AMANDA – UNSPLASH
Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1182 to a wealthy textile merchant and beautiful French woman. He was certainly not denied from a good life and began indulging in all sorts of luxuries as a young teenager. Whilst under such privilege, he had the opportunity to master the art of archery, horsemanship and wrestling which contributed to his great ambition of becoming a knight. In 1202, war broke out between Assisi and Perugia and it was an opportune time for Francis to take his place with the calvary. Indeed, the young chap eagerly volunteered to participate in the war to defend his city. Little did he know this would change him forever.
The battlefield did not look promising for the Assisi troops and most were brutally massacred in combat. Francis, however, dressed like an aristocrat with exquisite armour, had his life spared. The enemy soldiers knew that they could obtain a handsome ransom in exchange for this man’s life. Thus, Francis was confined for a year awaiting his father’s payment. Be that as it may, it was during the imprisonment that marked a pivotal moment in his life ─ he began receiving visions from God. This transformed Francis’ life completely and he came out of prison a changed man. Though he was wounded physically by the adversities of war, Francis was strengthened spiritually through his personal experience of God which altered his entire life course.
Read on about his devotion to Christ.