My Veneration to " The Real Relic Traveled from Italy of San Francisco Assisi "

Real, authentic relics of St. Francis of Assisi have traveled outside Italy for the first time in 800 years and are on public display in San Francisco.

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Now, It is Real not replica the National Pilgrim Relic of St. Francis of Assisi is at the San Diego de Alcala Parish in Polo, Valenzuela.

The parish formally welcomed the pilgrim relic for public veneration to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus (death) of St. Francis.

Today was heavy. I woke up feeling anxious, angry, and so disconnected — it was intense. I felt so far away that I could barely bring myself to believe anything, even God's words. Everything felt distant, unclear, and overwhelming.

But underneath all that noise, there was this mild, quiet calm — something gentle but powerful, softly pulling me: "Go to church."

So I went.

When I arrived, I learned something amazing — the real relic of Saint Francis of Assisi was visiting our parish for two days. Not a copy, not an imitation — the actual sacred relic. My heart filled with curiosity. I saw his statue, and the relic was placed right at his chest. I noticed the two wounds in his hands — the stigmata — and something inside me shifted.

After Mass, I went forward and venerated the relic of Saint Francis. Right there, I felt this strong urge — I pulled out my phone and searched: "Who was Saint Francis of Assisi? What is his full story?" I needed to know everything about this man who drew me here today.

After receiving Holy Communion, the sharp edges of my feelings softened. I feel calmer now, but still a little blank — like standing in a quiet room, not quite sure what comes next. Yet in that silence, there are soft voices whispering, gently guiding me, showing me what step to take tomorrow.

I don't have all the answers yet. But I know one thing — I was led here for a reason. Francis too was once lost, angry, and confused. And God met him right where he was. I hold onto that hope today.

🕊️ "Lord, even when I don't feel You, You are still here. Lead me step by step. Amen."

Heres what i found out about the story of San Francisco Asisi;

✨ The Full Story of Saint Francis of Assisi ✨

📍 EARLY LIFE — From Wealth to War

Born: 1181/1182 in Assisi, Italy

Original Name: Giovanni (baptized) → renamed Francesco by his father

Francis was the son of Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy cloth merchant, and his mother Lady Pica. He grew up in luxury — enjoying fine clothes, feasts, music, and the company of friends. He was charming, generous, and loved by many. His father dreamed he would continue the family business, but Francis dreamed of being a knight — of glory and fame .

⚔️ THE TURNING POINT — Prison and Sickness

In 1202, war broke out between Assisi and neighboring Perugia. Francis eagerly joined the battle, but Assisi was defeated. He was captured and imprisoned for nearly a year. In prison, his dreams of glory faded. He fell seriously ill. When finally ransomed and returned home, he was no longer the same — something deep inside him was changing .

He tried once more to become a knight, but on his way to battle, he heard God calling him back. In a dream, Christ asked: "Who can do more — the servant, or the Lord?" Francis returned to Assisi, confused but searching .

🕊️ THE CONVERSION — Meeting the Lepers and San Damiano

One day while riding outside the city, Francis saw a leper approaching. Previously, he had always fled from them in horror. But this time — moved by God's grace — he dismounted, ran to the leper, and embraced and kissed him. He gave the man all his money. From that moment, he began to live among and serve the poor and sick .

He began praying daily in the rundown chapel of San Damiano, outside Assisi. One day, while praying before the crucifix, the image of Jesus spoke to him:

"Francis, go and repair My house, which you see is falling into ruins."

At first, Francis thought Jesus meant literally rebuilding that small chapel. He sold some of his father's goods to buy stones for repairs. His father was furious — he dragged Francis before the bishop to demand repayment .

There, in front of everyone, Francis stripped off all his clothes, returned them to his father, and said:

"From now on, I can truly say: Our Father who art in heaven — not my father on earth."

He walked away, poor and free to follow Christ alone .

🙏 REBUILDING THE CHURCH — The Beginnings

Francis rebuilt San Damiano with his own hands, stone by stone. He wore simple clothes, ate little, and lived entirely on alms. Slowly, others began to follow him. One by one, young men of Assisi left their comfortable lives to join him. By 1209, he wrote a simple Rule of Life for them — based entirely on the Gospel .

He traveled to Rome in 1210 and asked Pope Innocent III for approval. At first the Pope hesitated, but then he had a vision: he saw the Lateran Basilica crumbling, and a poor little man propping it up with his shoulder. He knew — this was Francis. The Pope gave his blessing .

Thus began the Order of Friars Minor — the Little Brothers. Their mission: to live the Gospel literally — no property, no money, total poverty, and preach repentance and peace to everyone. They walked barefoot, preached everywhere, and cared for the sick and outcast .

💛 SAINT CLARE — The First Sister

In 1212, a young noblewoman named Clare heard Francis preach and wanted to live this same Gospel life. Francis helped her secretly escape her family home. On the night of Palm Sunday, she left everything behind. Francis gave her a simple habit and cut her hair — she became the first of the Poor Clares, the women's branch of his family. Together they built a life of prayer and poverty at San Damiano .

🌍 PREACHING TO THE WORLD — The Sultan and the Creatures

Francis was not content only in Italy. In 1219, during the Crusades, he traveled across enemy lines into Egypt to speak to the Sultan al-Kamil. Instead of fighting, he walked unarmed into the Muslim camp. The Sultan was so moved by his courage and gentleness that he listened to him and sent him back safely — though neither converted the other, they treated each other with profound respect .

Francis loved all of God's creation. He preached to birds, called the sun and moon his brother and sister, and spoke of fire and water as family. In 1225, while sick and nearly blind, he composed his beautiful Canticle of the Creatures:

"Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures..."

🎄 THE FIRST CHRISTMAS NATIVITY — Greccio, 1223

Francis wanted people to feel the wonder of Jesus' birth. In the village of Greccio, he gathered people around a manger filled with hay, with a real ox and donkey beside it. That night, they celebrated Mass beside the manger. This was the very first Christmas crib — a tradition still cherished worldwide today .

✋ THE STIGMATA — La Verna, 1224

While praying and fasting on Mount La Verna, Francis had a profound vision: a seraph, an angel with six wings, in the form of the Crucified Christ. As the vision faded, Francis discovered in his own hands, feet, and side — the wounds of Christ. He carried these marks — the stigmata — for the remaining two years of his life, offering his suffering in union with Jesus for the salvation of the world .

💔 FINAL YEARS — Sickness and Death

Francis suffered greatly in his final years — nearly blind, in poor health, yet full of joy. He said: "I give You thanks, O Lord, for my sufferings."

He died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 44, lying on the bare ground at the Porziuncola — the tiny chapel where his journey had begun. He was surrounded by his brothers. His last words were from Psalm 141:

"I cry to You, Lord: Come to me quickly."

He was canonized a saint by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228, only two years after his death .

🌟 HIS LEGACY — What Francis Teaches Us Today

- ✝️ Total Poverty and Trust in God — He owned nothing, yet lacked nothing

- 🤝 Love for the Outcast — He embraced lepers, the unwanted, the forgotten

- 🌿 Respect for All Creation — He saw everything as God's gift and our brother and sister

- 🕊️ Peace and Gentleness — He went among enemies not with swords, but with love

- 🙏 Gospel Simplicity — He showed us that holiness means living the Gospel simply and sincerely

"Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." — St. Francis of Assisi

Until Next Time,

💋 Yuna