Saint Francis' Birth and Early Days

Francis, a native of the city of Assisi, which is situated on the border of the valley of Spoleto, was first called John by his mother; but by his father (then returning from France), in whose absence he had been born, he was afterwards called Francis. When he was grown up, and become a man of subtle wit, he followed his father's calling - namely, trade - but in a very different manner, being merrier and more open-handed than he, given to sports and singing, going about the city of Assisi by day and night accompanied by men like himself. He was so extravagant in spending that all he could get and gain he consumed in feasting and other things: on which account he was many times taken to task by his parents, who told him that he spent so largely on himself and others that he seemed not to be their son, but the son of some great Prince. . . . But his mother, when her neighbours talked about his prodigality, would answer: 'What is it you think of my son? He shall be a son of God yet, through grace.'

- text taken from Franciscan Days: being selections for every day in the year from ancient Franciscan writings, translated and arranged by Alan George Ferrers Howell