St. Francis of Assisi, Founder of the Friar Minors (4 October): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

On October 4, the Church honors St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Friars Minor (Franciscans) and lover of holy poverty. Drawing from Fr. Alban Butler’s Lives of the Saints, this episode traces Francis’s breathtaking journey: his conversion and renunciation before the bishop of Assisi, the call to “rebuild My Church” at San Damiano, his embrace of radical poverty at the Portiuncula, the early companions (Bernard, Peter, and Giles), the first Rule and papal approval, his zeal for preaching penance, and his burning charity that led him to evangelize among Muslims. We follow him to La Verna (Alverna) where, in 1224, he received the stigmata, and then to his holy death on October 4, 1226. This reading highlights Francis’s humility, austerity, love of the Cross, devotion to Our Lady and the Angels, tireless prayer, obedience, and tender compassion for the poor and the sick. It also situates his mission historically (the crusader encampment at Damietta, meetings with popes and cardinals) and spiritually (the “spirit of poverty” as the root of humility and charity). Whether you’re discovering Francis for the first time or deepening your devotion on his feast day, let his example rekindle love for Christ crucified and zeal to “preach the Gospel at all times.” 🙏 If this blessed you, please like, subscribe, and share to help others find solid Catholic content. 📖 Source: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints by Fr. Alban Butler (public domain). 🕯️ Pray for us, St. Francis of Assisi! 00:00 Opening & theme of humility 00:16 Early life in Assisi & conversion 02:35 “Rebuild My Church”: San Damiano 05:32 Renunciation before the bishop 07:02 Portiuncula & life of radical poverty 08:59 Habit, greeting of peace, early miracles 12:00 First companions: Bernard, Peter, Giles 15:06 The Rule & Roman approval 21:00 Spirit of poverty & penance 24:42 Purity, temptations, and vigilance 29:07 Obedience, simplicity, anti-vanity 33:30 Prayer, tears, devotions, lents 39:09 Missionary zeal; attempts to reach Muslims 45:30 Before the Sultan at Damietta 50:04 La Verna retreat (1224) 55:02 The Stigmata of St. Francis 1:00:02 Love of poverty renewed 1:03:13 Final illness & holy patience 1:06:12 Holy death (Oct 4, 1226) 1:08:59 Basilica & veneration 1:10:34 Closing exhortation https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/october/st-francis-of-assisium-c-founder-of-the-friar-minors/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #StFrancisOfAssisi #FeastDay #LivesOfTheSaints #Catholic #TraditionalCatholic #Franciscans #FriarsMinor #Portiuncula #SanDamiano #Stigmata #LaVerna #ButlersLives #Assisi #RebuildMyChurch #Holiness #Poverty #Humility #Prayer 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴