St. Francis of Assisi

“Secular Franciscans live and work in the world, rather than in religious communities. They may be single or married, women or men, priests or religious, and come from all walks of life,” says member Connie Lacher.

Pope Francis’ encyclical on fraternity and social friendship will be released with an Italian title that will not be translated into different languages, reported Vatican News.

Three books help us to have a fuller appreciation of Francis of Assisi, a figure who continues to fascinate and challenge us even today.

The same book that inspired St. Francis in 1208 is expected to inspire thousands of others as the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore places it on public display for the first time in 40 years Feb. 1 through May 31.

Meeting with tens of thousands of Catholics living in the United Arab Emirates, Pope Francis urged them to be meek, peaceful and express their Christian identity by loving others.

Pope Francis will have St. Francis of Assisi on his mind when he visits Abu Dhabi Feb. 3-5 and Morocco in late March.

“Heavenly Earth: Images of Saint Francis at La Verna” includes 30 pieces of Franciscan art centered on the miraculous 13th-century event. The exhibit was to open Feb. 25.

Each Oct. 3, on the eve of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, his followers around the world mark his “transitus,” or passing, from this world into eternal life. Sometimes there’s a re-enactment of the physical death of the popular saint and sometimes a habit is laid out on something that looks like a stretcher called a bier, reminding those present of Francis.