The Internet Guide to St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi

baptized Giovanni di Bernardone

b. 1182 -- d. 1226 A. D.

Il Poverello

PATRIARCHA SERAPHICUS

Troubadour of the Great King

FRIAR MINOR,
FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR,
CO-FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF ST. CLARE,
FOUNDER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS,
PATRON OF ITALY & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Internet Guide to St. Francis of Assisi contains all significant links about St. Francis of Assisi on the Internet, and is updated regularly by The Franciscan Archive.

Biographies Articles Writings Orders & Societies Liturgical Texts Art

The Marian Dedication of St. Francis of Assisi

Biographies on St. Francis

Mira circa nos: July 16, 1228 A.D.

The Bull of Pope Gregory IX canonizing St. Francis of Assisi

English text

St. Francis of Assisi, by Archbishop Paschal Robinson, OFM, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

San Francesco, Confessore, da dom Prosper Guéranger (Italiano)

The Franciscan Experience , by Fr. Noel Muscat, OFM

An extensive and illustrated life of St. Francis.

St. Francis and the Conversion of the Muslims: the new book by Mr. Frank M. Rega, biographer of Padre Pio.

Auspicato Concessum: September 17, 1882 A. D.

The Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII on the Seventh Centenary of the Birth of St. Francis of Assisi.

English: HTML at the Vatican HTML at Newadvent Italiano: HTML at the Vatican

Rite Expiatis: April 30, 1926 A. D.

Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Seventy Centenary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.

English: HTML at the Vatican

Historia de Sancto Francisco by Bl. Jacobus de Voragine, O.P.

taken from his famous work, The Golden Legend (Latin) c/o George Mason University, VA, USA

Biographical Information in Español c/o (OFMVal)

SAN FRANCISCO DE ASÍS: SU VIDA Y SU OBRA, por Juan Joergensesn, trad. del Antonio Pavez, OFM.

Cronología
San Francisco y el lobo de Gubbio
San Francisco y su epoca
Francisco, gran amigo de Jesus, por Leoncio de Grandaison, S.J.
San Francisco, <<imagen perfecta de Cristo>>, por Daniel Rops
San Francisco de Asís por Pedro Borges

Biographical Information in Portuguese

A Vida de Francisco de Assis, illustrated (Portuguese)

The Life of St. Francis, a Online Cartoon-Video for Children (English & Spanish Versions)

The Franciscan Sources

General Sites

St. Francis of Assisi: Writings and Sources -- Multilingual (PB)

Individual Documents

The First and Second Lives of St. Francis, by Bl. Thomas of Celano, c. 1250

Excerpts in English, translated by David Burr

in Español (OFMVal)

1ª Vida de Celano: 2ª Vida de Celano:

in Español (BEBF)

1ª Vida de Celano (parte 1ª, parte 2ª)

2ª Vida de Celano (parte 1ª, parte 2ª) y Tratado de los Milagros

Tratado de los Milagros c/o Paxetbonum.net

Legendas de Celano em Portugués c/o (BEBF)

Legenda Major, by St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio

After 1265, the Official Biography of St. Francis in the Order

Español (BEBF) : parte Iª / parte IIª / parte IIIª

Portugués (BEBF) : HTML

Legenda Minor, by St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, c. 1260 A.D.

A summary of the Legenda Major, for use in the Divine Office

Español (BEBF) : Español

The Anonymous of Perugia, c. 1250 A. D.

On of the more important personal testimonies of St. Francis's life by an eye-witness

Español (BEBF) : HTML

Portugués (BEBF) : HTML

The Legenda of the Three Companions, c. 1250 A. D.

One of the most authoritative testimonies by St. Francis' first companions.

Español (OFMVal) : HTML

Portugués (BEBF) : HTML

The Mirror of Perfection, c. 1280 A. D.

A collection of testimonies popular in the pre-Spiritual community near the end of the 13th Century.

Español (BEBF) : parte Iª / parte IIª

Sacrum Commercium, c. 1240 A.D.

Bl. Thomas of Celano's Allegorical Drama of the Spiritual Journey of St. Francis

Español (BEBF) : Español

Oral Tradtions

The Little Flowers of St. Francis (14th Century)

A remarkable work of devotion and reminiscence, this popular 14th century work, has been reprinted in over 90 editions in the last 600 years, and is still in print today. Responsible for the conversion of many a wayward soul.

An Introduction to the Little Flowers c/o CE

Texts available online:

English c/o Wheaton College ; English c/o Paxetbonum.net

Italian c/o Intratext

I Fioretti di San Francesco c/o liberliber.it (Italiano: nei format di TXT e RTF )

Español (BEBF):

parte Iª
parte IIª
Consideraciones sobre las llagas
Vida del hermano Gil
Vida del hermano Junípero

Les Petites Fleurs du Saint François, multiple formats, c/o Gallica, translated from the Italian by Arnold Goffin (1908 edition)

Articles on St. Francis

Assisi, Italy: the Home of St. Francis, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

St. Francis and his brethren, by Johannes Jorgensen

Writings of St. Francis

Introduccion a los Escritos de San Francisco de Asís en latín (OFMVal)

The Rule of St. Francis: Regula Bullata

This, the Rule of St. Francis, was composed by St. Francis in the summer of 1223 A.D. during a retreat at Fonte Colombo in the valley of Rieti, Italy.

What is the Rule of St. Francis?, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

Solet Annuere: November 29, 1223 A.D.

The Bull of Pope Honorius III on the confirmation of the Rule of St. Francis

English (FA) / Latin (FA) / Latín (BEBF) / Latin (BA)
Italiano ((FA)

For Other English texts of the Rule see "Annotated English Translation" below

Collected Works of St. Francis

Critical Latin Texts by K. Esser, OFM : Latin

More complete Latin Texts: K. Esser's Edition c/o OFMVal

Apparently from K. Esser's edition c/o BEBF

Opusculos varios
Escritos legislativos
Obras dictadas
Oficio de la pasión y oraciones, en latín
Testamentos

Texts in Español (BEBF)

Annotated English Translation by the Franciscan Archive

2000-1 Version in HTML
(This translation supersedes the former 1998 HTML version)

This Version is Now in Print: Click here for more information!

Other Translations of the various writings of St. Francis

The Testament of St. Francis (1226 A.D.)

Written shortly before St. Francis' death, it represents a spiritual testament on the perfect observance of the Rule. Although Pope Gregory IX declared that it did not oblige the Order of Friars Minor like the Rule, subsequent Popes nevertheless blessed and encouraged those who observed it (e.g. Capuchins).

Latin / English (Outdated trans. by The Franciscan Archive: see Annotated 000-1 Edition Above, for more recent version)

Writings on the Order of Minors

Here is a brief collection of writings or testimonies originating with St. Francis on his idea on the observance of the Rule. Included here are:

Excerpts from a Letter to the General Chapter, by St. Francis

The Qualities that a Minister General Should have, by St. Francis

The Devotion all Friars should have to the Rule, from the Mirror of Perfection.

The Canticle of Creatures (c. 1224-6 A.D.)

Written in the last years of his life, during his tremendous sufferings brought on by tuberculosis of the lungs, stomach and bones, St. Francis composed one of the masterpieces of Italian literature, a song praising God through the beauty of His creatures. This song is the first written work to appear in Italian, and without doubt one of the greatest pieces of Medieval literature.

Italian Text

There is also a very fine recording of this Canticle, along with other songs in honor of St. Francis, by Altramar, a medieval music group:

"Joculatores Domine: Francis and the Minstrels of God" (November, 1996)

The Paraphrase of the Our Father (c. ?)

One of the very finest meditations on the Lord's Prayer ever written. There is nothing quite like its power to obtain the grace of recollection and purity of heart.

English Text (Outdated trans. by The Franciscan Archive: see Annotated 000-1 Edition Above, for more recent version)

The Antiphon: Holy Virgin Mary

Taken from St. Francis' Office of the Passion, this antiphon exhibits St. Francis' profound understanding and devotion to Mary in Her vocation as Theotokos and Corredeptrix.

English Text (Outdated trans. by The Franciscan Archive: see Annotated 000-1 Edition Above, for more recent version)

St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds

From Sources: English Text

Writings & Quotes Attributed to St. Francis

The Origin and Original Text of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis: Summary of Latest Research on its Origin

The Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Preaching without words: what St. Francis actually said

Audite Poverelle, an Umbrian Poem addressed to St. Clare and her daughters

Franciscan Orders & Societies in the Catholic Church

A History of Mendicant Orders in the Catholic Church, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

Orders Founded by St. Francis of Assisi

The Franciscan Orders: An Introduction, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

Links to the Major Franciscan Sites c/o www.vita-religiosa.de, the German Website on Medieval Studies of Religious Orders, which has a rich collection of Latin texts.

THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR

Bibliographic References to the History of the Friars Minor

Order of Friars Minor Conventuals, International Headquarters

A History of the OFMConv., c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

The Constitutions of the Friars Minor Conventuals

Español c/o (BEBF)

Order of Friars Minor Observants, International Headquarters

A History of the OFM, c/o the Catholic Encylcopedia

The Constitutions of the Friars Minor Observants

Español c/o (BEBF)

Order of Friars Minor Cappuchines, International Headquarters

A History of the OFMCap.c/o the Catholic Encylopedia

16th Century Documents of the Capuchine Reform

Español c/o (BEBF)

The Constitutions of the Capuchin Friars Minor (1990)

English / Español c/o (BEBF)

Groups which broke from the Order

The Fraticelli, who held the heresy of Absolute Poverty, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

Communities of Friars Minor which separated from the Order

Frati Minori Rinnovati: a reform of the OFMCap, Palermo, Italy [Mitigated Novus Ordo]

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate: a reform of the OFMConv., from Avellino, Italy [Mitigated Novus Ordo -- Kolbian]

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: a reform of the OFMCap, New York City, USA [Mitigated Novus Ordo, Charismatic]

The Friars of the Primitive Observance: a reform of the Friars of the Renewal (Mother of the Good Shepherd Friary, 16900 Annandale Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727) [Mitigated Novus Ordo Charismatic] — Founders of this community separated from the Friars of the Renewal.

The Capuchin Friars of Morgon, France: (Couvent St. François, Morgon, 69910 Villié-Morgon, France) [Mitigated Traditional non-Indult]

The Conventual Friars of Tonalà, Mexico: (Frailes Conventuales, Balsas #62, Villas de Buenos Aires, Colonia Camichines II, Tonalà, Jalisco, Mexico) [Traditional non-Indult]

THE ORDER OF ST. CLARE

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, of Washington State, USA

Klarissen, Poor Clares in Germany

Traditional Poor Clares (Monastère Sainte-Clare, Villié-Morgon, France) [Traditional non-Indult]

A History of the Order of St. Clare, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS

A History of Third Orders: Regular and Secular, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

THIRD ORDER REGULAR

Third Order Regular, in USA

Rerum condicio: October 4, 1927 A.D.

Pope Pius XI's Apostolic Constitution reforming the Rule of the Third Order Regular

English / Latin

Other Third Order Regular Communities

Les Petites Soers de Saint François d'Assise [Domaine de Lanorgaurd, 29380 Le Trevoux, France -- Traditional non-Indult]

THIRD ORDER SECULAR

The National Fraternity, of the Secular Third Order in the USA

The Divine Mercy Fraternity of the SFO, Vero Beach, FL.

The Brothers and Sisters of Penance, a Private Association of the Faithful, observing the TOSF Rule of 1221.

Sacra Propediem: January 6, 1921 A. D.

The Encyclical of Pope Benedict XV on the Third Order of St. Francis.

English Texts: HTML at the Vatican

Misericors Dei Filius: May 30, 1883 A. D.

The Consitution of Pope Leo XIII on the Revised Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis

English Text / Latin Text

The Rule of Life for the Third Order Secular, promulgated by Pope Paul VI

English Text

Franciscan Societies and Associations

The Confraternity of the Cord of St. Francis, c/o the Catholic Encyclopedia

Liturgical and Ritual Texts on St. Francis

Missale Romanum, Editio II juxta editionem VI post typicam Vaticanum: 1956 A.D.

Proprium Missarum de Sanctis

Feast of St. Francis, October 4th: Latin Text

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis, September 17: Latin Text

Antiphonale Romano-Seraphicum: Pro Horis Diurnis, Desclée & Socii, 1928 A.D.

Proprium Sanctorum

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis, September 17: Latin Texts HTML RTF

Art depicting St. Francis

Churches with Art depicting St. Francis

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi: Assisi, Italy -- Multilingual

La Iglesia di San Francisco de Pontraveda, España con fotos

Individual Works of Art depicting St. Francis

Andrea del Sarto [1486-1530]

Madonna of the Harpies depicts St. Francis with St. John the Baptist, at Our Lady’s side

1517
Oil on wood, 208 x 178 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Bonaventura Berlinghieri [fl. 1230]

St Francis: one of the earliest icons of the Saint (c. 1230)

1235
Tempera on wood
Church of San Francesco, Pescia

Giovanni Bellini [c. 1426-1516]

The Nativity Triptych depicts St. Francis at the right hand of the Holy Family

1460-64
Tempera on panel
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

The Pesaro Altarpiece : this magnificent profession of Franciscan Faith, depicts St. Francis, in attendance at the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1471-74
Oil on panel, 262 x 240 cm
Musei Civici, Pesaro

St Francis in Ecstasy as he receives the Stigmata

1480-85
Oil on panel, 120 x 137 cm
Frick Collection, New York

Madonna and Child with Four Saints and Donor, depicts St. Francis humbly standing at the side of the Child Jesus

1507
Oil on wood, 90 x 145 cm
S. Francesco della Vigna, Venice

Bartolomeo Bon [fl. 1421-1464]

St Francis Statue

Marble
Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice

Caravaggio [1573-1610] a.k.a. Michelangelo Merisi

Nativity with St Francis and St Lawrence

1609
Oil on canvas, 268 x 197 cm
Formerly San Lorenzo, Palermo (lost)

St. Francis in Ecstasy : a depiction of the fruit of St. Francis' sublime imitation of Christ. (for detail click here): with link to streaming mp3 audio, of Michael Haydn’s Mass in Honor of St. Francis (33 minutes)

c. 1595
Oil on canvas, 92,5 x 128,4 cm
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, Connecticut

Cimabue

Madonna Enthroned with the Child, St Francis and four Angels: this is the famous Byzantine style Madonna & St. Francis from the Basilica of St. Francis, in Assisi

1278-80
Fresco, 320 x 340 cm
Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi

Madonna Enthroned with the Child, St Francis St. Domenic and two Angels

Tempera on wood, 133 x 81 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Correggio [c. 1490-1534]

Madonna with St. Francis and St. Anthony, St. John the Baptist

1514
Oil on wood, 299 x 245 cm
Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

The Rest on the Flight to Egypt with Saint Francis : St. Francis happens upon the Holy Family in humble amazement

1517
Oil on canvas, 123,5 x 106,5 cm
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Jan van Eyck [c. 1395-1441]

The Stigmatization of St. Francis

1428-29
Oil on wood, 12,5 x 14,5 cm
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia

Taddeo Gaddi

The Stigmatization of St. Francis

Stained glass window
Cappella Baroncelli, Santa Croce, Florence

Giotto di Bondone [1267-1337]

Description and location of the Legend of St Francis fresco cycle in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis, in Assisi, Italia. These 2 cycles of frescos contain scenes from all the important events of St. Francis’ life.

Complete Listing of Frescos in Upper Basilica

click this link, and then go to the smaller numbered links beneath the initial 3 diagrams, for a complete list of all images, and their descriptions.

Complete Listing of Frescos in Lower Basilica

click this link, and then go to the smaller numbered links beneath the initial panoramic image, for a complete list of all images, and their descriptions.

The Frescoes at Santa Croce, the Bardi Chapel, Firenze, Italia.

click this link, and then go to the smaller numbered links beneath the initial image of St. Clare, for a complete list of all images, and their descriptions.

Other works by Giotto di Bondone not at Assisi

Stigmatization of St Francis

1300
Tempera on wood, 314 x 162 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

Detail showing St. Francis receiving the Rule from Pope Innocent, and the Dream of Pope Innocent in which he saw the Poverello holding up St. John Lateran

Death and Ascension of St Francis
Saint Francis and Saint Clare

Ghirlandaio [1449-1494]

Frescoes in the Cappella Sassetti of S. Trinita in Florence

This cycle includes the following scenes from life of St. Francis:

1. The Sigmatization of St. Francis on Mt. Alverna

2. The Trial of Fire before the Sultan of Egypt, while St. Francis attended the 4th Crusade

3. The Obsequies of St. Francis

4. The Confirmation of the Rule (see here below)

5. The Resurrection of a Boy

The Confirmation of the Rule of St. Francis by Pope Honorius III, on Nov. 23, 1223 A.D.

1482-85
Fresco
Santa Trinità, Florence

Detail showing St. Francis receiving the Rule from to Pope Honorius III