To celebrate the special Jubilee year of St. Francis, the diocese held a special St. Francis Mass on October 4. After the Mass, Bishop Lee, along with Father Daniel António de Carvalho Ribeiro, distributed St. Francis bread to the parishioners. The bishop specially emphasized that the St. Francis bread has no special spiritual effect, but rather through the act of sharing the bread, he reminds the parishioners to follow the example of St. Francis, who loved God and loved his neighbor.
St. Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone in 1181 or 1182 in Assisi, Italy. He was the son of a wealthy cloth merchant and lived a life of luxury and pleasure in his youth. However, his life changed dramatically when he experienced a profound conversion after being imprisoned during a war between Assisi and Perugia. After his release from prison, Francis began to spend time in prayer and solitude. One day, while praying in the ruined church of San Damiano, he heard the voice of Christ saying, "Francis, rebuild my church." Taking this literally, Francis began to repair the church building, but he soon realized that God was calling him to rebuild the Church spiritually. Francis renounced his wealth and inheritance, choosing to live in poverty and simplicity. He began to preach the Gospel and attracted followers who shared his vision of living according to the teachings of Jesus. In 1209, Pope Innocent III approved the Franciscan order, which Francis called the "Order of Friars Minor" (Little Brothers). Francis had a deep love for all of God's creation, especially animals and nature. He is said to have preached to the birds and tamed a fierce wolf that was terrorizing the town of Gubbio. His love for creation led him to compose the "Canticle of the Sun," a beautiful hymn praising God for all His creatures. In 1224, while praying on Mount La Verna, Francis received the stigmata - the wounds of Christ on his hands, feet, and side. He died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44. He was canonized just two years later by Pope Gregory IX. Today, St. Francis is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of ecology and animals.