Feast Day: October 4
Patron Saint of: Animals, archaeologists, ecology, Italy, merchants, messengers, metal workers

Born into a noble family, Francis had every intention of living forever in luxury until he began receiving visions from God. The most famous vision occurred when Jesus spoke to him through the San Damiano cross at an abandoned church and said, “Go out and build up my house, for it is nearly falling down.” Francis renounced all worldly goods and literally began rebuilding the abandoned church, as well as serving the poor and leading a community of brothers and sisters in the Franciscan way. St. Francis of Assisi is known for his radical vows of poverty and his love for the poor.