Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni Francesco Bernardone. He was born of wealth, yet had very little formal training. When Francis was a young man, he lived a worldly life and fought in battles. It was not until he was captured and in prison for one year that he had a conversion experience. Although his life was short, from the onset of his conversion, he set out to help the destitute, lepers and preach the message of the gospel. Francis helped others in their time of need despite the fact that he was suffering himself. He suffered with illness and voluntary poverty. Francis was als…