Rebuild Photograph - Rebuild My Church by Robyn Stacey

Rebuild My Church is a photograph by Robyn Stacey which was uploaded on October 24th, 2013.

Rebuild My Church

by Robyn Stacey

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Framed Print

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Title

Rebuild My Church

Artist

Robyn Stacey

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

Copyright 2013 Robyn Stacey Photography. All rights reserved

This church under renovation reminded me of Jesus' call to St Francis of Assisi: "Rebuild my church."

St Francis of Assisi
Francis Bernardone was born Giovanni Bernardone in 1182 in Assisi, Umbria, Italy. His father, a wealthy merchant, did not like that his wife baptized his son after John the Baptist; so, he changed his name to Francesco in honor of his personal love for France. Francis spent his youth as a leader among his peers, a wild parties & trying to fulfill his desires to be a knight. After leaving to join the crusades, he had a dream & returned to Assisi. The dream led him to God. He studied the Scriptures and prayed for direction. One day, in the church of San Damiano, a chapel outside of Assisi, the Crucified Jesus spoke to him from the cross which hung inside the church. Jesus spoke these words to him: "Francis, go rebuild my Church, which you see is falling into ruins." "Yes!" said Francis. "This is what I want, this is what I long for with all my heart." This began Francis' preaching of the Gospel.

Many stories of Francis preaching to the birds and animals and all sorts have come down through the ages. He referred to them as his brother or sister. Stories of saving Gubbio, Italy from a wolf that was wreaking havoc on the small village. This has lead to Francis becoming the patron saint of animals.

Between 1223 and his death on October 3, 1226, Francis' body was sick and frail but his spirit soared to the heights of mystical love and union with Christ. At Christmas 1223 he celebrated the birth of Jesus in an outdoor pageant and Mass in the village of Greccio, thus giving to the Christian world ever since the Christmas crib or creche. The following year, in September 1224, Francis while absorbed in contemplation on Mt. LaVerna received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ in his hands and feet and side. It is from these years of deep union with God and the Crucified Christ that come Francis' most beautiful prayers, including the Praises of God and the Canticle of Brother Sun and his Testament.

He was canonized July 16, 1228.

Info gathered and compiled from catholic.org and capuchins.org.

Uploaded

October 24th, 2013