• October 4, 2025, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
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Friends of the Rosary,

Today, October 4, is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), a 13th-century Italian priest who renounced his worldly possessions to devote himself to Christ. He was the first person (recorded) to receive the stigmata (the five wounds of Christ) in 1224.

Francis Bernardone was born and died in Assisi. He was the son of a wealthy merchant, received a good education, and initially followed the ways of the world with a lavish and irresponsible life.

At the age of twenty, he went to war against Perugia, but was captured and imprisoned. During his imprisonment, he had a vision of Christ, which changed his life completely.

In a dream, God told him, “Go and repair my church, which, as you can see, is in ruins.”

He left all his possessions and embraced complete poverty, taking the Gospel as his rule of life.

In 1220, he founded the Franciscan order, which, within ten years, numbered five thousand brothers.

Out of humility, Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life.
He had a great love for God’s creatures and referred to them as his brothers and sisters.

His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic. He is also nicknamed “God’s Fool” and “Il Poverello” (The Little Poor One).

Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!

+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York

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Leo XIV