St. Francis of Assisi (4 October): Seek Poverty

About this sermon

St. Francis of Assisi is often remembered for birds, animals, and a gentle love of nature—but his real life was far more radical. Born into wealth, Francis pursued pleasure, fine clothing, romantic songs, military glory, and worldly ambition before imprisonment, suffering, and an encounter with Christ transformed him. This sermon recounts his conversion, pilgrimage to Rome, and famous commission from Christ: “Rebuild My Church.” Francis renounced his inheritance, embraced “Lady Poverty,” founded the Franciscan Order, preached repentance, and helped renew a Church troubled by corruption, heresy, and poor catechesis. We also hear how Francis confronted the wolf of Gubbio, preached to creation, received approval from Pope Innocent III, traveled through a battlefield to preach Christ before the Muslim sultan, inspired the Christmas Nativity scene, and received the sacred stigmata. His life teaches that holy poverty is not despair. It is confidence that God remains enough when everything else is taken away. Even when Catholics lack churches, traditional sacraments, security, or support from the hierarchy, nobody can forcibly take away their faith or their love for God. May St. Francis obtain for us his courage, confidence, generosity, and complete surrender to Jesus Christ. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us. 0:00 The Real St. Francis of Assisi 1:42 Captivity and the Beginning of His Conversion 3:00 “Rebuild My Church” and Radical Poverty 4:47 Why Creation Obeyed St. Francis 6:16 Founding and Expansion of the Franciscan Order 8:03 St. Francis, the Mass, and His Lasting Legacy 9:25 Preaching Christ Before the Muslim Sultan 11:00 The Nativity Scene and the Stigmata 12:42 What Franciscan Poverty Teaches Every Catholic 13:48 Spiritual Poverty and Trust During the Church Crisis 14:54 Do Not Fear Losing Everything 15:42 Prayer for Courage, Confidence, and Generosity #StFrancisOfAssisi #SaintFrancis #Franciscan #CatholicSaints #CatholicFaith #TraditionalCatholic #LadyPoverty #SanDamiano #Stigmata #CatholicSermon #SensusFidelium 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Prayer
• Money & Stewardship