The Life of Saint Francis

1181 or 1182 - Francesco Bernardone was born in Assisi.

1202 - Perugia and Assisi fought in the battle of Ponte San Giovanni. Francis was taken forcibly to Perugia where he was held captive for more than a year.

1204 - Francis fell ill.

1205 - Francis set off to fight in Puglia. In Spoleto he had a vision and returned to Assisi.

1206 - Conversion of Francis. Message from St. Damian's crucifix. He met the lepers and renounced his father’s wealth.

1208 - At the Porziuncola, Francis was shaken by the Gospel and the words of Christ inviting his apostles to announce the kingdom of God around the world. Francis left for the Marche region on his first mission.

1208 or 1209 - During his second mission, Francis arrived at Poggio Bustone.

1210 - Oral approval of the first Rule by Innocent III.

1211 or 1212 - Francis left for the Holy Land but a storm shipwrecked the ship on the Dalmatian coast.

1213 - Francis received the mountain of La Verna from Count Orlando of Chiusi.

1213 o 1214 - Francis set out for Morocco. He fell ill in Spain and decided to return to Italy.

1219 - Francis left for the east (Egypt, San Giovanni d'Acri). Perhaps he visited holy sites.

1220 - On his return to Italy he relinquished his position as General of the Order in favour of Peter of Cattaneo.

1221 - Cattaneo died and was succeeded by Brother Elias. Francis wrote a new Rule (non bullata).

1223, beginning - Francis wrote the new Rule in Fontecolombo. Honorius III approved the rule (Regula bullata)

1223, Christmas - In Greccio, Saint Francis reproduced the Nativity of Christ.

1224 - Francis received the stigmata at the top of Mount Verna.

1224, winter - Francis returned to Greccio.

1225 - The illness in his eyes got worse. He underwent an unsuccessful operation at Saint Damian’s. He may have written the Canticle of All Creatures.

1225, summer - He returned to the Sacred Valley. Francis was met in Rieti by Cardinal Ugolino and the pontifical court. He underwent an operation on his eyes in Fontecolombo and performed the miracle of fire.

1225, autumn - Francis moved to Rieti. He was a guest in the Church of San Fabiano (La Foresta). He underwent other operations and performed the miracle of the grapes.

1225/1226 - – From the fall of 1225 to April 1226, Francis lived in various places in the Sacred Valley. In Rieti new cures were attempted. Francis performed many miracles. He sojourned often in Greccio.

1226, April - Francis left the Sacred Valley to go to Siena for further operations. He dictated a brief will

1226, October 3 - He died on the bare earth at Porziuncola.

1226, October 4 - Francis’ body was brought to Assisi and buried in the Church of Saint George.