Francis of Assisi
Founder of the Franciscan Order, born at Assisi in Umbria, in 1181 or 1182 — the exact year is uncertain;
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Francis of Assisi”
Patronages on this page:
Patronages
According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:
Italy
- Holy See: Visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome (November 5, 1978), consulted October 4, 2026
- Wikidata (no reference cited)
Tapestry weavers
Recorded as patron of tapestry weavers in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
Feast day
- October 4 · General Roman Calendar
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Francis of Assisi”
died there, 3 October, 1226.
His father, Pietro Bernardone, was a wealthy Assisian cloth merchant.
Of his mother, Pica, little is known, but she is said to have belonged to a noble family of Provence.
Francis was one of several children.
The legend that he was born in a stable dates from the fifteenth century only, and appears to have originated in the desire of certain writers to make his life resemble that of Christ.
At baptism the saint received the name of Giovanni, which his father afterwards altered to Francesco, through fondness it would seem for France, whither business had led him at the time of his son's birth.
Works of art
