Wood Plaque Premium - St. Francis of Assisi by B. Nippert

Francis Bernardone grew up in luxury as the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in Italy. Then God captured his heart when he wandered into the old church of San Damiano. He heard a voice as he knelt before the crucifix which said “Francis rebuild my church, it is falling into ruin.” Francis immediately sold some cloth to pay for repairs. His furious father took him to court, where Francis renounced his inheritance, laid his clothes at his father's feet and walked off naked. Wearing a rough tunic, tied with a rope, Francis attempted to repair the church with his own hands.