Saint Francis

18th century

Granite

Unknown provenance

MAS E 18

Saint Francis of Assisi – Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone – was born July 5, 1182, in Assisi, Italy. A handsome, gay, gallant and popular young man, he abandoned a worldly life to embrace religion. In 1209, he founded the Friars Minors, or Franciscan Order, whose mission was to preach, practice humility and piety, and assist the poor. He died in Assisi on October 3, 1226, and was canonized on July 16, 1228, by Pope Gregory IX.