Explore Saint Francis of Assisi's biography, miracles, feast day, and lasting influence on Catholic faith. Uncover his path to sainthood and enduring wisdom. Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) is a Christian Saint. He is the founder of the Franciscan Order and patron saint of animals, the environment, merchants, Italy and Catholic Action. The school was named after St. Francis of Assisi and St. Francis de Sales, and is operated by an independent corporation that is a partnership between the Western Province of Salesians of Don Bosco and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey. St. Francis of Assisi - Poverty, Humility, Franciscan Rule: Francis preached to townspeople—even though as a layperson he was without license to do so—and he soon attracted followers. Discover St. Francis of Assisi's legacy—his love for God, nature, and a life of joyful poverty that still inspires the hearts and minds of people today. Discover the life, legacy, and feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order and lover of nature and poverty. St. Francis of Assisi, distinguished on earth as a visionary Italian mystic and a gifted poet, is the founder of the Franciscan Order. His deep devotion to living in poverty and fraternity, boundless mercy for others and profound reverence for all creation has inspired generations. Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (c. 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Francis of Assisi, [b][c] was an Italian [d] mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. St. Francis of Assisi was the founder of the Franciscan orders of the Friars Minor, the women’s Order of St. Clare (with St. Clare of Assisi), and the lay Third Order. He was a leader of the movement of evangelical poverty in the early 13th century and is one of the most venerated religious figures of Roman Catholicism. Francis fulfilled every hope of Pietro's -- even falling in love with France. He loved the songs of France, the romance of France, and especially the free adventurous troubadours of France who wandered through Europe.