ST FRANCIS

The Parish of St Patrick on the South Bank is cared for by the Conventual Franciscan Friars. This is the religious Order that originates from the inspiration of St Francis of Assisi.

St Francis lived in 13th-century Italy, yet this extraordinary saint continues to appeal to those who seek to discover the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Francis stripped himself of worldly ambition; he gave away what he possessed and discovered the freedom of being truly a child of God, enabling him to depend utterly upon

divine providence from day to day and to call God his Father, from Whom comes all the wonderful gifts of creation.

Francis had a deep devotion to the infant Christ born in the crib at Bethlehem and the crucified Saviour who died on Calvary. Near the end of his life Francis received the divine gift of the scared stigmata - the marks of Christ's passion were branded onto his own body.

Francis opens our eyes to the poor Christ who is seen in those suffering human injustice. Francis shows us how to open our hearts to God and to trust in his merciful goodness.