DOWN TO EARTH: Celebrity Saints! Calling all ecologists! Your guy’s special day is this week. Famous for being so close to nature that all the animals trusted him – no, not Dr. Doolittle - Saint Francis of Assisi! Also well known for his famous prayer, “Make me a channel of your peace…” But he was in fact born into a rich family and had a misspent youth – brawling in the street and eventually becoming a soldier. So there’s hope for your unruly and ungrateful kids! He started the Franciscans, he wrote hymns, lived with animals, cared for lepers, cleaned churches and even sent food to thieves. And in the Middle Ages anyone who believed themselves to be possessed by Beelzebub prayed for help from St. Francis, the theory being that he was the demon’s opposite number in heaven. (all sing: “Who you gonna call? – St. Francis!”) Born in 1181 at Assisi & Died 4 October 1226, he’s the patron saint for those afraid of dying alone, of animals & birds, ecologists, lace makers, peace and zoos! Also celebrated this week: Saint Clare of Assisi – big buddy of St. Francis – she started the Poor Clares. At the end of her life she was too ill to attend mass but miraculously an image of the service would appear on her cell wall – so she’s the patron saint of television, television writers, telephones & telegraphs. Also, laundry workers, against eye disease and…..get those prayers ready…the patron saint of good weather!
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 06:10:00 +0000
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