St. Francis and the Animals with Friar Jack Wintz by Aluna Raphael

St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally — not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully and without limit.

Artists often depict St. Francis surrounded by animals and birds. His earliest biographers tell of his preaching to birds and his encounters with a variety of creatures whom he addressed as Sister Lark, Sister Cricket, Brother Rabbit, and so on.

Friar Jack Wintz, a Franciscan Monk, shares his insights into the life of this extraordinary saint.

Aluna: Could you describe the relationship St. Francis had with animals?

Friar Jack: Francis saw all Creation as one family. He didn't see humans as being over and above the other creatures. He believed in a good and loving Creator, and that all creatures should be treated with kindness and love. And since he and they had the same Father in heaven, well, that made him a brother to the violet and the fox.

Aluna: Could you tell us how St. Francis communicated with animals?

Friar Jack: The friars, like Thomas of Celano, who knew St. Francis and wrote his first biography, presented him as actually talking to animals with words. I imagine that St. Francis had natural empathic or telepathic instincts in order to approach animals in this way.

Aluna: Can you share a story about this?

Friar Jack: The stories we have are mostly from his biographer, Thomas of Celano. He tells that one day a brother brought to St. Francis a rabbit who had been caught in a trap. Francis advised the rabbit to be more alert in the future, then released it from the trap and set it on the ground to go its way. But the rabbit hopped back up onto Francis's lap.

Francis took the rabbit a few steps into the woods and set it down. But it followed him back to his seat and hopped on his lap again! Finally Francis asked one of his fellow friars to take the rabbit far into the woods and let it go. That worked.

This type of thing happened repeatedly to Francis, and he always saw it as an opportunity to praise the glory of God. For if the simplest creatures could be so endowed with God's wonder, then how much potential must we have as humans!

Thomas also tells of fish communicating with Francis. Whenever a fish was caught and Francis was nearby, he would return it to the water, warning it not to be caught again. On several occasions, fish would linger near his boat, listening to Francis preach, until he asked them to take their leave. Then they would swim off.

Aluna: Could you share more about the sermons he gave to the animals?

Friar Jack: To illustrate, I'll share another story told by Thomas of Celano. Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties. Filled with awe, he said to them: "My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him. He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly, and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God's guidance and protection."

At this, the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic. After this, he gave them his blessing, and they flew off.

Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day forward, Celano relates, Francis made it his habit to invoke all birds, animals, and reptiles he met to praise and love their Creator.

At many times during Francis's life there were such remarkable events of Francis preaching to the animals. There was even a time when he quieted a flock of noisy birds that were interrupting a religious ceremony! Much to the wonder of all present, the birds remained quiet until Francis's sermon was complete.

Aluna: Wow! Do you have insight into his deep respect and love for all Creation?

Friar Jack: I don't think we can easily separate Francis's love for creatures from his love for God. He called Creation a "work of art," and said that with every work of art we are inspired to praise the artist — in this case, our loving Creator.

Francis was a Christian saint who strongly believed what the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures taught about God and Creation. I see in Francis a natural empathy and love toward creatures, and his nature was enriched and deepened by his belief in God's entering the family of Creation, giving great dignity to the whole created world.

His central theme was to live his life in imitation of the great compassion, respect, and praise for all life demonstrated by Jesus.

Aluna: What led you to dedicate your life to St. Francis's teachings?

Friar Jack: I have always loved nature and its beauties, and so I was attracted to Francis in part because of his great love and respect for Creation. Francis also taught me that the God of Creation was also the God who became a creature and a human in Jesus and loved us with a love that held nothing back from us, even in giving his life.

We Franciscan's don't see Francis as being apart from Jesus and his great love for us. Francis is so attractive to me because he was a great imitator of Jesus.

Aluna: Can you leave us with another story of St. Francis?

Friar Jack: I'd love to. Perhaps the most famous story of St. Francis is about when he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of Gubbio.

While Francis was staying in that town, he learned of a wolf so ravenous that it was killing and eating not only animals, but people, too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who encountered the wolf perished at its sharp teeth. By now, the villagers were afraid to leave the city walls.

Francis had pity on the people, and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned not to, but he insisted that God would take care of him. And so, accompanied by a friar and several peasants, Francis went outside the city gate. There, the peasants lost heart and said they would go no farther. But Francis and his companion, the brave friar, walked on.

Suddenly the wolf, jaws agape, charged out of the woods at them. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward the wolf, at which the power of God caused it to slow down and to close its mouth.

Then Francis called out, "Come to me, Brother Wolf. In the name of Christ, I order you not to hurt anyone." At that moment, the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis's feet, meek as a lamb.

St. Francis explained to the wolf that he had been terrorizing the people, killing not only animals, but humans who are made in the image of God. "Brother Wolf," said Francis, "I want to make peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more and you must no longer harm them. All past crimes are to be forgiven."

The wolf showed its assent by moving its body and nodding its head. Then, to the absolute surprise of a gathering crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As St. Francis extended his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and placed it into the saint's hand. Then Francis commanded the wolf to come into the town to make his peace. Francis turned and walked back toward the village, and the wolf meekly followed.

By the time they got to the town square, everyone was there to witness the miracle. With the wolf at his side, Francis gave the town a sermon on the wondrous love of God. Then he offered the townspeople peace on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would live in peace under those terms. The wolf bowed his head and twisted his body in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again the wolf placed its paw in Francis's hand as a sign of the pact.

From that day on, the people kept the pact they had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from door to door for food. It hurt no one, and no one hurt it. Even the dogs did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of Gubbio were sad. The wolf's peaceful ways had been a living reminder to them of the wonders, patience, virtues, and holiness of St. Francis. It had been a living symbol of the power and providence of the living God.

Aluna: Thank you, Friar Jack, for sharing with our readers the great inspiration St. Francis's life continues to make in the world today.

Friar Jack Wintz, OFM, authors the electronic newsletter "Friar Jack E-spirations" at FriarJack.org. He also is the author of St. Francis in San Francisco, a picture book for children ages four to eight.