October 4
The saints and feasts remembered on October 4, each with a short life, a Bible passage and a prayer.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Gave up his wealth to live poor and joyful, preaching peace to all
Francis was born around 1181 in Assisi, in central Italy, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. As a young man he loved parties and dreamed of glory as a knight, but a year as a prisoner of war and a long illness left him restless. In his own later words, what changed him was meeting lepers: what had seemed bitter to him became sweet.
He gave up his inheritance in front of the bishop of Assisi, handing his clothes back to his angry father. He repaired ruined chapels, begged for food and preached peace. Others joined him, and around 1209 Pope Innocent III approved their simple way of life. With Clare of Assisi he also inspired a community of women. In 1219 he crossed the lines of a crusade to speak with the Sultan of Egypt.
He died near Assisi in 1226. Christians remember him for his joyful poverty, his love of all creatures, and his Canticle praising God through Brother Sun and Sister Moon.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts. Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
Matthew 10:7–10 · BSB
A prayer
Lord God, you led Francis to leave his riches behind, to embrace the poor and the outcast, and to praise you in all your creatures. Free us from clinging to what we own, help us bring peace where there is conflict, and teach us to find joy in following your Son. Amen.
The lives are written with AI help from public-domain histories and checked before publishing; the prayers are ours. Bible quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), in the public domain. How we write.