Barefoot and clad in a ragged grey tunic, Leonardo Defilippis brings to life Saint Francis, “the little poor man of Assisi,” whose holiness and faith continue, after 800 years, to draw men and women to a more perfect imitation of Christ.

Born into a wealthy family in 1181 in Assisi, Italy, Francis was the son of a cloth merchant, was well educated, and worked as a part of his father’s business. As a young and handsome man, he was drawn to a busy social life of parties, revelry, brawls, and with little desire to study or work. He spent money on fine clothes, food, and entertainment. He suffered through illness and for a time, served as a soldier. Francis was taken as a prisoner of war and during this time, underwent a spiritual conversion wherein he was called to leave his worldly way of life and focus on Christ.