| It is also told that whenever a fish was caught and St Francis was nearby, he would return the fish to the water, warning it not to be caught again. On several occasions, the fish would linger awhile near the boat, listening to St Francis preach. But the most popular story about St Francis and animals is when he tamed a wolf that was terrorising the people of Gubbio (in Italy). While St Francis was staying in that town, he learned that a wolf had been attacking and eating people. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished. Villagers became afraid to leave the city walls. St Francis decided to go out and meet the wolf, against the warnings of the people. A brave friar and several peasants accompanied St Francis outside the city gate. But soon, the peasants lost heart and went no further. St Francis and his companion walked on. Suddenly the wolf charged out of the woods. St Francis made the Sign of the Cross at the wolf. The wolf slowed down and closed its mouth. Then, St Francis said to the creature: "Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone". At that moment, the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St Francis' feet, meek as a lamb. "Brother Wolf", said St Francis, "I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them". From that day, the people kept their peace-pact with the wolf and the wolf lived for two years among the people, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it until it died of old age. St Martin de Porres Born on the 9 December 1579 at Lima, Peru, St Martin de Porres was the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a young freed black slave, who grew up in poverty. He spent part of his youth with a surgeon-barber from whom he learned some medicine and care of the sick. At age 11 he became a servant in the Dominican priory. Promoted to almoner, he begged more than $2,000 a week from the rich to support the poor and sick of Lima. He was later placed in charge of the Dominican's infirmary, and was known for his tender care of the sick and for his spectacular cures. His superiors dropped the stipulation that "no black person may be received to the holy habit or profession of our order" and Martin took vows as a Dominican brother. He established an orphanage and children's hospital for the poor children of the slums, and set up a shelter/animal hospital for the stray cats and dogs and nursed them back to health. He lived in self-imposed austerity, never ate meat, fasted continuously, and spent much time in prayer and meditation. |
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| Saint Francis of Assisi was born a rich nobleman who chose to live in poverty and simplicity. St Francis' brotherhood included all of God's creation. He is well known for his love of nature and everything in it. He felt that every living creature is his brother or sister. St Francis is considered the founder of all Franciscan orders and is the patron saint of animals, ecologists and merchants. His feast day is on October 4, which is the date when many animal protection societies throughout the world celebrate Animal Awareness Day. It is told that one day, a brother brought a rabbit who had been caught in a trap to St Francis. St Francis told the rabbit to be more alert in the future, and then released the rabbit from the trap and set it on the ground to go its way. But the rabbit hopped back onto St Francis' lap, desiring to be close to the saint. St Francis took the rabbit a few steps in the woods and set it down. But the rabbit followed St Francis back to his seat and hopped on his lap again. Finally, St Francis asked one of his fellow friars to take the rabbit himself as far as possible into the woods. This time it worked. |
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| St Francis referred to animals as "brothers and sisters". |
| St Francis Foundation for Animals - c/o 8, Pacifiku Scicluna Street, Vittoriosa, Malta - email: stfrancisfoundation@gmail.com - HSBC account 040001034050 |
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