Who is St. Francis of Assisi?

On 10th September 1224, a small boat landed near Dover, England and nine roughly dressed figures disembarked. They were suspected of being spies from France, consequently they spent their first night in prison. However they managed to convince their captors of their innocence and the next day were released. They walked to Canterbury and were given hospitality by the Benedictine monks of the town. St. Francis of Assisi was the man who had sent this group to England with a particular mission.

St. Francis, the spiritual head and founding father of this religious group, established them as a Gospel fraternity under the name Order of Friars Minor, on 16th April 1209. The particular mission of this group was to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at all times, using words when necessary. The eight friars who arrived in England were among the large number of men who became members of this Order. They came to England when their Rule and Life was officially approved by the Church on 29th November 1223 by the special decree of the pope, Solet Annuere.

When the first friars arrived in England they were warmly welcomed in Canterbury and quickly gained the attention of the town's people due to their simplicity, poor manner of life and joyful spirit. The friars were meek, modest and humble and spoke courteously to everyone. A house was loaned to them since they refused to accept any property, part of which Greyfriars (the oldest Franciscan building in Britain), still stands over the River Stour.

Angellus of Pisa was the leader of the first group of Friars, which eventually grew and spread to other parts of the country. They started to make a striking and significant influence on the society. They were to be found in the slums of Lincoln, alleviating the suffering of the poor and hungry; and at the university of Oxford stimulating scientific and religious knowledge.

Over the last eight centuries thousands of English men have dedicated their lives to Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis. They have played an important role and integral part in the development of England's social and spiritual history.

As we still continue to minister to the Gospel of Jesus in these British Isles, we are trying to be faithful to the ideals of St. Francis and keep the heroic spirit of these early confreres who laid the foundation for our presence here.