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…that October 4 is the feast of one of the church’s most beloved saints?

Stories abound of how St. Francis of Assisi followed the example of Jesus. Francis is well- known for his deep concern for all, his love for God’s creation, and his quest for peace. He renounced wealth to work with lepers, the most neglected and despised group in his society, and ministered to the poor with hope and courage. Ever the peacemaker, Francis traveled to the crusades, not to convert, but to bring peace. Simply stated, Francis’ message is that by serving others we can find God in our daily routine. But words were never enough for Francis. He believed in show and tell, and made the story of Christmas come alive by staging a living tableau of the Nativity. Francis bore the stigmata (the wounds of Christ), and was canonized two years after his death. He is the patron of ecologists and of Italy.

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