A saint for our times

The Catholic Church marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi this year. Archbishop William E. Lori noted that the saint remains one of the most admired figures in history despite the vast differences between his era and the modern world.

St. Francis is remembered for several historical accounts, including the wolf of Gubbio, the receiving of the stigmata on Mount La Verne, and the creation of the first Christmas crèche at Greccio. Archbishop Lori stated that his Canticle of the Creatures serves as a source of inspiration for those facing environmental degradation, as the poem celebrates the kinship between humanity and the beauty of creation. This work also inspired Pope Francis to write his encyclical regarding the protection of the common home.