Franciscan Spirit

Outside in my garden is a statue of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals and the environment.

One of the most common questions people have about the end of the world is, simply, “What will happen in the future?”

There have been several Franciscan popes in history, most recently Pope Clement XIV (1769–1774).

Around the world in October, we Franciscans celebrate the Feast of St. Francis (October 4).

In his autobiographical The Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton remembers a conversation with poet Robert Lax.

Bernard of Quintavalle, one of the wealthiest young men of Assisi, became intrigued by reports about one of his peers—Francesco di Bernardone—who had recently aroused ridicule by his ostentatious embrace of poverty.