Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family...
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Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family. As a young man he was something of a playboy who loved fancy clothes and doing pretty much what he wanted to do. After fighting in local wars, he was captured and during his stay in prison God began speaking to him and redirecting the course of his life. Now, he only wanted to serve God among the poor of the land. He notified his father of his intentions, and his father was horrified. Eventually the son was brought into court by his father.
Elizabeth Goudge, in her biography of Francis describes the scene.
"My Lord Bishop, I will give back unto him with a light heart not only the money that belongeth unto him, but my clothes also… Hear ye all, and understand; until now I called Pietro Bernadone my father, now I give back all that I had of him, desiring to say only, 'Our Father, Which art in heaven,' with Whom I have laid up my whole treasure and on Whom I have set my whole trust and hope."
Elizabeth Goudge, in her biography of Francis describes the scene.
"My Lord Bishop, I will give back unto him with a light heart not only the money that belongeth unto him, but my clothes also… Hear ye all, and understand; until now I called Pietro Bernadone my father, now I give back all that I had of him, desiring to say only, 'Our Father, Which art in heaven,' with Whom I have laid up my whole treasure and on Whom I have set my whole trust and hope."
