St. Francis Medals

There are few Saints in the Church who have had more impact on the Church and individual lives both in the time they lived and as today as a Saint. Francis of Assisi left a life of rowdiness and comfort to take the gospel literally. He founded an order, the Franciscans, began the Nativity scene tradition, and at the foot of the now Famous San Damiano cross, began a reform of the Church through example of a a pious and holy life. During the last years of his relatively short life (he died at 44) he was half blind and seriously ill. Two years before his death in 1226, he received the stigmata, the real and painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. On his deathbed, he said over and over again the last addition to his Canticle of the Sun, "Be praised, O Lord, for our Sister Death." He sang Psalm 141, and at the end asked his superior to have his clothes removed when the last hour came and for permission to expire lying naked on the earth, in imitation of his Lord. St. Francis Medals are worn by the faithful to inspire them to emulate the life of this holy man and to seek his intercession.