Saint Francis KS2

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Saint Francis of Assisi
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Francis was born in Assisi in Italy, in 1182.
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He was the son of a rich merchant and he grew up
to love pleasure more than anything else. He
became a knight, and set off seeking adventure,
until he became ill. Then he had a dream, telling
him to go back to Assisi. There, he began to
pray, and think about his life. He noticed the
suffering of the poor, and when he met a leper,
he gave him all he had. He felt that God had work
for him to do.but what was it?
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Francis prayed before an ancient crucifix in the
church of San Damiano. He heard the Lord
say, Francis, repair my house.
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So Francis hurried back to his fathers house and
took bales of cloth to sell for the church. His
father was furious and he was beaten and locked
up. His mother helped him escape and he hurried
off to re-build the church, begging for stones
along the way. He built a little hut to live in
by the church of St.Mary of the Angels and at
Mass one day he heard the Gospel
tell him to give everything to the poor so he
did. He dressed himself in a poor brown tunic.
Franciscans wear this habit today.
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Franciscans around the world today
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Maximilian Kolbe
and Padre Pio are Franciscan saints.
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Did you know that we have Franciscan
Missionaries here in our Parish??
Sister Cecily, Sister Nicola and Sister Susan are
Franciscans. They are carrying on St. Francis
and St.Clares work here in Salford, in 2005.
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Other men came to join Francis. They needed
directions a rule to live by
so Francis opened his Book of the Gospels three
times, to see what to do. This is what he read
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• You must take my cross and follow in my path.
  
  
• Sell all you have and give it to the poor, and
  you will have riches in heaven. Then follow me.
• Take nothing with you for the journey no
  stick, no food, no money, not even an extra
  shirt!

These will be our rules, said Francis.
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Francis and his followers did exactly what Jesus
said in the Gospel. They travelled about looking
like beggars , in sandals or even barefoot. They
lived in little huts or along the wayside, and at
first they were often mocked and jeered at but
they were joyful and kind and they taught and
preached and did all they could to help the
poor. They became loved and respected by everyone
and thousands and thousands of friars came to
join Francis . A young woman named Clare asked
Francis to help her set up a community of women
who wanted to follow Jesus too.
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Francis loved all of Gods creation he was
gentle and loving to animals and the birds of the
air. He called them his brothers and
sisters, too.
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Francis tamed the wolf at Gubbio
And even the wild birds listened to his gentle
words
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Francis brought the the Christmas story to life
by creating the first Christmas Crib, at Greccio,
more than 700 years ago.
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Franciscan friars from all round the world
at their Christmas crib in Rome.
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Francis cared for everyone, except himself, and
he became tired and ill. He thought of Christs
sufferings on the cross , instead of his own
illness
and one day, while praying before the crucifix,
he received
the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ.
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Francis saw how beautiful the world can be, when
we love and take care of it and each other.
He is the Patron Saint of Ecologists. He wrote
wonderful poetry, prayers and songs which
millions of people love today.
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Almost at the end of his life, Francis went
blind. It was then that he wrote his beautiful
prayer, the Canticle of the Sun.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun, who
brings the day and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his
splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the
likeness. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister
Moon and the stars in the heavens you have made
them, precious and beautiful.
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Francis died in 1226, in a tiny hut, close by the
little chapel of St.Mary of the Angels. He became
a saint just 2 years later, and a great church
was built over the chapel. Now millions of
pilgrims visit Assisi every year.
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Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring
your love. Where there is injury, your
pardon, Lord, and where
theres doubt, true faith in you. Make me a
channel of your peace,
Where theres despair in life, let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness, only light, and
where theres sadness, ever joy. O
Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to
console, To be
understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love, with all my
soul. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning
that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men, that we receive,
and in dying that were born
to eternal life.
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Saint Francis of Assisi
You learned to live like Our Lord. Millions of
people have learned from you. Help us to grow up
like you strong and gentle, faithful and true.