1. Francis and Beginnings

Francis of Assisi was born in 1181/82, died on October 3, 1226, and was canonized on July 15, 1228; his feast day is October 4. Baptized Giovanni, he was the son of a cloth merchant, Pietro Bernardone, who knew France well through business journeys and thus called his son Francesco. He was expected to carry on his father’s trade but preferred…