On Sunday, we, the Catholic Church in Brooklyn, celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in 1181 or 1182 and died in 1226. Pope Leo has named this the Year of Saint Francis because it is the 800th anniversary of his death.
Saint Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, has had a great influence on the Catholic Church.
A Saint for His Time
Francis lived in the medieval age. It was a time when the Church was at the zenith of its power. Pope Innocent III was one of the powerful medieval popes. It was a time when the papacy had authority over European monarchs, centralized Church authority, began major crusades, and suppressed the Albigensian heresy.
While the institutional Church at the time of Francis had immense wealth, legal structures, and political sway, Francis preached and practiced humility, penance, and poverty. Remember, Francis is responsible for re-creating the Nativity scene, which reminds us that Jesus was born in poverty, not opulence.
A Prophetic Witness
While Francis saw things differently from the papacy of his time, he never separated himself from loyalty to the papacy. In this way, his movement remained within the Church. In fact, it was Innocent III who gave permission for the Franciscan Order to come into existence.
Francis was a prophetic message to the whole Church that, while wealth was not bad, it needed to be integrated and balanced in the service of the Gospel. While the medieval Church had authority, power, and wealth—especially during the time of Innocent III—the powers that be recognized the need for reform and the value of Francis’ mission.
Rebuild My Church
While praying before the crucifix, Francis heard a voice telling him to rebuild the Church. Francis did, and he continues to rebuild the Church through his example of community, prayer, service to the poor, poverty, simplicity, and radical service to the Gospel.
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Msgr. Guy A. Massie
Sunday, October 4, 2026
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