Franciscans

OFM

Order of Friars Minor

Province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India

Joy is Being Franciscan

FRANCISCAN TIME LINE

The Life Journey of St. Francis of Assisi
Τ
1181 – BIRTH
Assisi, Italy
Born Giovanni di Pietro Bernardone, later called Francesco by his father.
1199–1200 – CIVIL CONFLICT
Civil war shakes Assisi; many noble families seek refuge in Perugia.
1202 – CAPTIVITY
Battle between Perugia and Assisi at Collestrada. Francis is captured and imprisoned for a year, falls ill, and is later freed by his father.
1204 – ILLNESS AND REFLECTION
A long illness deepens his interior conversion.
1205 – A CALL FROM GOD
On his way to join Walter de Brienne's army, Francis receives a vision in Spoleto and turns back. His conversion journey begins.
1205 (AUTUMN) – THE SAN DAMIANO CALL
Before the Crucifix of San Damiano, he hears:
"Francis, rebuild My Church."
Conflict with his father soon follows.
1206 (JANUARY–FEBRUARY) – THE RENUNCIATION
Publicly renounces his inheritance before the Bishop of Assisi — embracing poverty.
1206 (SPRING) – COMPASSION FOR THE LEPERS
Francis serves and embraces lepers, finding joy in mercy.
1206 (SUMMER–FOLLOWING SPRING) – THE REBUILDER
He repairs San Damiano, San Pietro della Spina, and Santa Maria degli Angeli (Porziuncola). His conversion is complete.
1208 (FEBRUARY 24) – THE GOSPEL MOMENT
Hears the Gospel of St. Matthew and finds his rule of life:
"Take nothing for your journey."
1208 (APRIL 16) – THE FIRST COMPANIONS
Bernardo di Quintavalle and Pietro Cattani join him — the first brothers of the Franciscan family.
1208–1209 – THE BROTHERHOOD GROWS
The brothers receive assurance of God's forgiveness and begin to preach in pairs.
1209 – THE RULE AND PAPAL APPROVAL
Francis writes a simple Rule for himself and 11 companions. Pope Innocent III gives his approval in Rome. They return to the Porziuncola.
1212 (PALM SUNDAY NIGHT) – THE DAWN OF THE POOR CLARES
St. Clare receives the habit at the Porziuncola and later settles at San Damiano.
1215 – A VOICE IN ROME
Francis participates in the Fourth Lateran Council.
1216 – THE PORZIUNCOLA INDULGENCE
Granted by Pope Honorius III, opening heaven's gates to pilgrims.
1217 (PENTECOST) – THE FIRST GENERAL CHAPTER
Held at the Porziuncola; the first missions beyond Italy are launched.
1219 (MAY 26) – MISSION TO MOROCCO
The first Franciscan missionaries depart.
1219 (JUNE 24) – JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND
Francis travels east.
1219 (AUTUMN) – ENCOUNTER WITH THE SULTAN
In Egypt, Francis meets Sultan al-Kamil, planting seeds of peace and dialogue.
1220 – MARTYRS AND RENEWAL
The first Franciscan martyrs are slain in Morocco. Cardinal Ugolino becomes Protector of the Order. Francis resigns as Minister General.
1221 – NEW LEADERSHIP
Brother Elias becomes Vicar. Francis continues preaching across Italy.
1223 – RULE AND NATIVITY
Writes the Definitive Rule at Fontecolombo — approved by Pope Honorius III. Creates the first Nativity scene at Greccio.
1224 – THE STIGMATA
During a retreat at La Verna, Francis receives the sacred wounds of Christ.
1225 – CANTICLE OF THE SUN
Suffering from blindness and illness, he stays with St. Clare at San Damiano. Composes most of the "Canticle of Brother Sun."
1225–1226 – THE FINAL JOURNEY
Receives medical treatment at Fontecolombo and Siena; health fails. Dictates a brief Last Will.
1226 (OCTOBER 3) – PASSING TO ETERNAL LIFE
At the Porziuncola, he blesses his brothers and dies peacefully on a Saturday evening.

October 4: He is buried in San Giorgio, Assisi.
1228 (JULY 16) – CANONIZATION
Canonized by Pope Gregory IX (his friend, Cardinal Ugolino).
1230 (MAY 25) – THE BASILICA OF ST. FRANCIS
His body is transferred to the new papal Basilica in Assisi built in his honor.