The Explorers' Club, № MCLXXXIV

Operation AXIOM: The 800th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi
Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone (circa 1181-3 October 1226), known by the nickname Francesco ("Frenchie") almost from birth, he had a profound religious awakening in 1205, quickly attracting followers who were approved as the Order of Friars Minor in 1210; Francis was ordained a deacon; he received the stigmata from 17 September 1224; he was canonized quite swiftly, on 16 July 1228.

Commentary: The Franciscans are an incredibly diverse family of organizations, ranging from the original first order, the all-male Order of Friars Minor (O.F.M.); second order, the all-female Order of Poor Clares; & third order, the lay Secular Franciscan Order; to reform movements like the Capuchins (O.F.M. Cap., 1525) & the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (C.F.R., 1987); to heretical sects like the Spiritual Franciscans (Fraticelli, 1296); to modern Protestant Franciscans, both Lutheran (Nineteenth Century) & Anglican (1905).

The life & legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi could easily support a series of episodes; our purpose here is simply to mark the eight hundredth anniversary of his birth into eternal life (Dies natalis), a day later than intended. We regret doing nothing similar to mark the eight hundredth anniversary of the dies natalis of Saint Francis's friend & fellow mendicant, Saint Dominic, founder & namesake of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), in 2021.

Ora pro nobis!