Voting Station

St. Francis of Assisi

Please vote to return to collections.

Religious Figure

The Resume

    (1182-October 3, 1226)
    Birth name was Francis Bernardone
    Patron Saint of the Animals and Environment
    Also Patron Saint of Italy
    Founder of the Order of Mendicant Friars/Franciscans (April 16, 1209)

Why he might be annoying:

    As a youth, he was a street fighter and occassional soldier.
    He spent a lot of money on foolish pleasures and drank with some of Italy's young princes.
    Though born into wealth, he spurned it to beg for his food, dress in rags, and wander the world without a roof over his head, often living in caves.
    His former friends thought he was a nut case and looked upon him with disdain and disgust, occasionally throwing rocks and mud at him.
    He couldn't decide whether to devote his life entirely to prayer or travel about and preach the word of Christ. He chose in favor of the latter, but snuck off to be alone whenever he could.
    He wanted to be a missionary in Syria, but a shipwreck and illness prevented it.
    Hanging around animals and not having a steady supply of toiletries to clean up with, he must have been bad news for the noses of his followers.
    His name sounds like 'Francis is a sissy!'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He gave up worldly goods after a beggar touched his soul and gave him the last pieces of coinage he would ever possess. His father nearly stroked out, and then disowned him.
    He developed a serious illness and was about to die when Christ healed him. Afterwards he devoted his life to the service of humanity.
    He preached purity and peace, visited hospitals, cared for lepers, and offered comfort to the sick.
    He considered all men and women as brothers and sisters and all of God's creatures as his children.
    He composed songs to God and nature, lived with animals, did handy work, cleaned churches, and sent food to the needy.
    He began to attract followers in 1209, and with the blessing of the Pope, founded the Franciscans.
    Two years before his death, half blind and in poor health, he received the stigmata, the real and painful wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. Today this miracle has a separate memorial, held each September 17th.
    Humble to the end, he asked for permission to die lying naked on the Earth in tribute to his Lord God, and died happy at age 44 (1226).
    He was canonized by Pope Gregory IX (1228).

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 178 Votes: 47.75% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 41.18% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 8 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 109 Votes: 49.54% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 116 Votes: 48.28% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 27 Votes: 48.15% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 218 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 74 Votes: 54.05% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 80 Votes: 45.00% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 65 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 476 Votes: 45.59% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 129 Votes: 37.21% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 143 Votes: 35.66% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 106 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 405 Votes: 40.74% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 960 Votes: 43.33% Annoying